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THE GHETTO
THE PLAYS OF HENRIK IBSEN. Small 4 to, cloth.
5s. each, or paper covers, is. 6d. each.
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN. I "THE MASTER BUILDER,
LITTLE EYOLF. [ *HEDDA GABLER.
* Also a limited Large Paper Edition, 21s. net.
BRAND : A Dramatic Poem in Five Acts. By Henrik
Ibsen. Translated in the original metres by C. H.
Her ford. Small 4to, cloth, 7s. 6d.
THE PLAYS OF GERHART HAUPTMANN. Paper
covers, is. 6d., or cloth, 2s. 6d. each.
•HANNELE. I LONELY LIVES
THE WEAVERS.
* Also small 4to, with Portrait, 5s.
THE PRINCESS MALEINE, and THE INTRUDER.
By Maurice Maeterlinck. With an Introduction
by Hall Cains, and a Portrait of the Author. Small
4to, cloth, 5s.
THE FRUITS OF ENLIGHTENMENT: By Count
Lyof Tolstoy. With Introduction by A. W. Pinero.
Small 4to, with Portrait, 5s.
CYRANO DE BERGERAC. By Edmond Rostand.
Small 4to, 5s. Also, Popular Edition, i6mo cloth,
2s. 6d. ; paper, is. 6d.
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN
21 Bedford Street, W.C,
THE GHETTO
A DRAMA
In Four %Acts
Freely ^Adapted from the 'Dutch of
HERMAN HEIJERMANS, Jr.
By
CHESTER BAILEY FERNALD
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN
MDCCCXCIX
lS
Copyright, 1899
All rights, including Acting rights in the English Language, reserved
Entered at the Library of Congress
Washington, 1/.S.A.
DRAMATIS TERSONA
Rafael.
Sachbl.
Aabon.
Rabbi Haezeb.
Samson.
Daniel.
Mobdbcai.
Esther.
Rebecca.
Rosa.
A Watchman. Inhabitants of The Ghetto.
The action takes place in The Ghetto, Amsterdam,
at the present time.
The incidental music composed by Mr. N. CLIFFORD
Page.
TREFACE
In the not wholly grateful task of adapting this
play to the present demands of the 'English and
American stage, partly as those demands have been
interpreted by others than me, numerous alterations
liave been thought necessary. I hope that this adaptor
tion does not conceal the fact that Mr. Heijermans*
original is a work of very admirable unity and
force.
CHESTER B. FEBNALD.
September y 1899.
v I t
THE GHETTO
THE FIRST ACT
Scene : A street in the Ghetto in Amsterdam. On the
left the shop of Sachel. Running down from the
centre to the right, diagonally, the watt of a canal ;
a bridge across the canal ; a vista of the river and
tlie city at the back.
Enter Samson and Daniel.
Samson.
Have trade and traffic gone to bed for Sabbath ?
Daniel.
Not till old Sachel shuts his shop. See, he site
there in the gloom like a spider waiting in its web.
He would keep open all night for two cents.
a
2 THE GHETTO
Samson.
He's waiting for his son. "What if the old man
knew that Rafael spent half his time composing
music — music for which he gets nothing ? He would
lock the door on Rafael to-night.
Daniel.
Let him! The world shall hear from Rafael.
Wait till we play his music.
Samson.
But he still has time to devote to his father's
Christian servant-maid.
Daniel.
Eh — you have noticed too? [They look into the
shop.] Ah, see her ! I say, she's the handsomest in
Amsterdam — high or low ! You had better be careful
what you say about her to Rafael.
Samson.
I am. When I spoke a trifle lightly of her, he
offered to smash my head with your 'cello.
Daniel.
And you apologised ?
THE GHETTO 3
Samson.
Not wanting it smashed.
Daniel,
Meaning your head.
Samson.
No, meaning your cello. But I shall proceed with
her. She is unhappy — I think she needs me !
Enter Mordbcai, with a piece of lac3 } by way of the
bridge. He goes into the shop.
I thought we had done with trade in this street.
There goes an old sheep to pawn his fleece. I say
—bah!
Daniel.
So will the old sheep say " Bah ! " when Sachel has
shorn him. See the old man feeling it over — they
say he can tell brass from gold by the touch of his
talons.
Samson.
It is well the old man is blind ; if he saw the look of
disgust on the girl's face— ^ay, she'd like to rush out in
the air 1
4 THE GHETTO
Daniel.
If she hates trade so, why does she stay in the
Ghetto ?
Samson.
She has nowhere else to go — she doesn't appear to
want to get away. Are they cursing each other over
a copper ? See the curl of her lip ! Look ! look !
[Rosa rushes out of the shop*
Eosa.
[As if stifling.] Oh ! oh ! they have no souls —
there is not a soul among them, save Rafael's !
[She sees Daniel and Samson.
Samson.
Good evening !
Rosa.
[Coldly.] Good evening.
Samson.
It's a fine evening, isn't it ?
Rosa.
No.
Samson.
No, I suppose not. Is Rafael at home ?
THE GHETTO 5
EOSA.
No.
Samson.
No — he stays away, he is in love ?
Daniel.
With whom ?
Samson.
With somebody — somebody. I read between the
notes of his music. He's fallen in love and he's put
it all into music. [Insinuatingly.] Do you know
who she is ?
Rosa.
[She gets a broom and begins to siveep.] How should
I, a Christian! be so deep in his confidence ?
Samson.
As deep in his confidence as need be. But do not
trust him too much. Ah — [quasi-regretful] — and I am
his friend. But it is love that has made a fool of
me.
Rosa.
No, I should not lay it to the door of love.
Samson.
It is love. If I could look into such eyes as yours,
6 THE GHETTO
and my heart not smoke like — like a burning hay-
cock, then I should be more fool than now.
Kosa.
You could not be. With whom do you mean to
insinuate that Rafael is carrying on a love affair ?
Samson.
Oh, not you !
Eosa.
Oh ! With whom, then ?
Samson.
[Whispering.] To-morrow, when you are alone
[He pauses, hearing Sachel in the shop.
Sachel.
No, no !
Mordecai.
But
Sachel.
No, no, no !
Enter Mordecai, followed by Sachel.
Mordecai.
Half a guilder ! Half a guilder ! Oh ! if it isn't
worth four guilders, it is worth nothing.
[He begins to roll up his lace.
THE GHETTO 7
Sachel.
If it is worth four guilders to you, keep it. Il'in !
Because I am blind, cannot I feel with my fingers ?
No, it is tatters.
Mordecai.
It's beautiful. I leave it to any one.
Sachel.
So do I. I leave it to Rosa ; she's a Christian, she
knows nothing about trade. Rosa !
Rosa.
[Coming to him.] Yes.
Sachel.
Am I not right ? Is it not charity to offer him
half a guilder for that lace ?
Daniel.
[Mischievously.] A beautiful piece of Lice !
Samson.
A splendid piece of lace ; he could not have come
honestly by that !
8 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
I have not summoned every idler in the street.
Eosa ! [Exeunt Daniel and Samson.
Mordecai.
[Whispering to Rosa.] My son is dead, how can I
bury him without money ? It was his mother's — the
only fragment I have left of hers—
Sachel.
I hear you ; is he giving you something ?
Hosa.
[In compassion.] It is not so badly worn ; surely it is
worth four guilders !
Sachel.
You lie ! I say you lie ! Do you think you can make
a fool of me — you thieves! Ah, I know you are
standing there, twisting your cheeks at me ! But you
shall not rob me ; no, no ! Give me that ! [He takes
the lace and examines it with his fingers.'] I knew it !
It has been patched — by some bag-maker. You minx
— you hussy ! Do I feed you that you may rob me ?
Everybody lies to me — but they do not deceive me !
I will not give half a guilder — only thirty cents.
THE GHETTO 9
MORDECAI.
Sachel ! I must have two guilders ! He died in my
arms. You have a son — for pity's sake — for pity's
sake!
Sachel.
Have you had pity on my eyes ? You say this lace
is whole ; it is a lie. You say your son is dead ; that is
a lie too, for all I know. I'll give no more — no more.
Mordecai.
Oh ! Oh! Give me that ! You black-hearted miser.
[He snatches it.] You are rich — you have known me
for years — and you would let my son be buried in the
pauper's field ! A curse on you ! May your son live
to hate you— desert you — disown you — curse you, as
I do ! [Exit Mordecai.
Sachel.
Rosa ! Run and offer him a guilder and a half !
Run!
Rosa.
Mordecai ! He will not stop ! He's gone !
Sachel.
With a curse ! Could I be more cursed than I am ?
Come here. You have driven the trade from my
door.
io THE GHETTO
Rosa.
I?
Sachel.
Yes, you — you misbegotten wretch ! Had you not
whined and pleaded for him, he would have taken a
guilder. If you, too, had said, " Tatters ! nothing but
tatters." Why did you not ?
Eos A.
Because I will not lie for you !
Sachel.
I employ you to do my bidding ! "What are you
doing now — idling, wasting precious time ? [Rosa
begins to sweep.] In the middle of last night — were
you up ?
Rosa.
No!
Sachel.
[Ironically.] You will not lie for me ! Why are
you so disturbed about it ?
Rosa.
I am not disturbed.
Sachel.
I say you are. You are red in the face — I know
it. Why were you up ?
THE GHETTO u
Rosa.
I was not up.
Sachel.
I heard you ! I heard you, and you cannot deceive
me. Did I not lie awake until Rafael came home ?
It struck twelve as he went to his room. It was not
five minutes later when I hear steps along the hall
— yes, I can hear steps, though the shoes be off ! I
heard steps, and then your door opened. Why do you
stop ? I heard your door open ; what does it mean ?
Rosa.
Do you mean that — that some one came — some one
opened my door ?
Sachel.
Some one — some one ! I mean you — you opened it
— and you went downstairs. Why ? What were you
doing while you thought 1 slept ?
Rosa.
I did not leave my room.
Sachel.
And she will not lie for me ! If you are honest,
y does your voice tremble so ? You were up, and
12 THE GHETTO
why ? If I miss anything ; — do you want to be turned
into the streets? [He hears the noise of a windov)
opening.] Who's that ? Some fresh enemy ? I can-
not move but some one's hand is raised against me !
Enemies — enemies I cannot strike nor battle with —
because I cannot see !
Rosa.
I — I am not your enemy !
Sachel.
How do I know ? Have I ever looked into your
eyes ? Ay, if I could look into them at this moment,
God knows what I should find. You are not my
enemy ! Why, then, were you up last night prowling
about my house — at midnight — when my son — when
Rafael ; — Rafael — ? Come here ! [She comes to him.]
Your hand ! Was it Rafael ? Did Rafael— ? No,
no, my beautiful boy — with such as you — an ugly,
misshapen wench like you! [Pause.] Unless —
unless they lied to me ! Did not Esther sniff and say
that you were white and thin, when we rescued you
from pauperdom — when you were threatened with the
streets — you thankless vagabond? They knew I would
not have had you else ! Rafael said that " pretty "
was no word for such a face as yours ; did he mean
THE GHETTO 13
that you were beautiful ;— did he mean that ? Your
form — yes, your form ! [He passes his hand over her.]
Hold still ! Do you fear an old blind wreck like me ?
Ay, you are like a Madonna, damn you ! Your face
— hold still — your nose — [he passes his hand over her
/ace] — your brow — your chin ; — they lied to me ! You
are beautiful ! It was Rafael !
Rosa.
What do you mean ? I tell you I am not beautiful I
Sachel.
Are you ugly ? Do you swear you are ugly ?
Rosa.
You cannot see the colour of my skin — you cannot
see the rings under my eyes.
Sachel.
You swear— do you swear you are not beautiful ?
Rosa.
I may have been pretty once — but now
[She is silent.
Sachel.
[Thoughtfully.] When she says that— h'm ! H'm !
14 THE GHETTO
No woman would deny her beauty if she had it. No,
no ! ITm ! Rafael — my beautiful boy ; why, I only
mentioned it to frighten you !
Enter Esther, over the bridge.
Esther.
What's the matter now — you troublesome old
person ?
Sachel.
My sister — my compassionate sister ! ITm ! I
know you're waiting, watching my face from day to
day for a sign of death,
Esther.
You silly old man, does any one put a pin in your
way?
Sachel.
Any one 1 Every one ! Has she not just driven
away a customer because she would not — —
Esther.
I don't want to hear about it !
Sachel.
H'm ! A little money — it is nothing ! I have
given my life for it — and my eyes— my eyes ! By
THE GHETTO 15
God's right, do not the blessings of thrift belong to
me ? And here I drag my gloomy, empty life away,
with a son who brings me nothing, a sister who
watches me like a vulture and this hussy who drives
my customers to curse me !
Esther
Who do you think gave mo this letter for you ?
Aaron.
Sachel.
Aaron ! He hasn't been near us for years ! What
does he want ? Read !
Esther.
When the Sabbath has already begun ?
Sachel.
Well) what do we have this Christian for ? Rosa !
Enter Rosa.
Esther.
Rosa, open this letter and read it«
Rosa.
[Reading.] " I shall be at your house to-night, on a
matter of business. — Aaron Heine." [Exit Rosa.
16 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
Business ? What business can he have with me ?
Esther.
His daughter, I think. There was something in
the way he spoke that made me feel it !
Sachel.
To marry his Rebecca to my son. H'm ! Ill
make him speak first. I'll worry him ! I'll maker
him sweat
Esther.
Rosa ! Put up the shutters.
Sachel.
I will not trust her to put up the shutters.
Esther.
You never had a better servant in your house.
Sachel.
[Fetches shutters and awkwardly adjusts them.]
She is a Christian. It is bad luck — it was wrong for
us to take her in.
Esther.
You were glad enough to have her. Would a
THE GHETTO 17
Jewess light your fire on Sabbath — would a Jewess
open your letters for you ? Shall I send her away ?
Sachel.
Not yet.
Esther.
No. Because on Sabbath your feet would be cold
and your letters would He unopened, even if you were
not blind. I pity the girl ; I have heard that her
father was a gentleman and died poor and in exile, be-
cause he had given succour to the persecuted Jews.
Enter Rosa.
Sachel.
Who can prove it? It is a good story to work
upon our sympathies. They cannot deceive me. I
will have no sympathies.
Esther.
[To Rosa.] Isn't it warm.
[They look off over the river.
Rosa.
But aren't those clouds beautiful ? They are bring-
ing a blessed rain ; but they lower as if they brought
a pestilence.
1 8 THE GHETTO
Esther.
You call them beautiful? You know very well
that we are speculating in produce : if the drought
keeps on the rich will have to pay dear for their
vegetables, and the poor won't have any ; it will
profit us handsomely ! And you only think of your
own pleasure !
Rosa.
It was only the beauty, the majesty of the clouds ;
they are massed together like enemies ready to
destroy us. But the poor ; ah, I can see the hand of
God in those clouds !
Esther.
Which God, Rosa ?
Rosa.
The God of all peoples, of all faiths — the God who
knows no ceremony but the way of living, and no
creed but what He plants in the hearts of every one.
Esther.
You are a strange sort of Christian! You talk
like Rafael! [Exit Rosa, as if to avoid the subject]
I wonder if she ever talks with Rafael ! Sachel, I
see Aaron !
THE GHETTO 19
Sachel.
I'll make him speak first.
Enter Aaron.
Aaron.
[To Sachel.] Good evening. [A r o answer.] What's
the matter with you, old friend? I have a bit of
business with you.
Esther.
Good evening. Bather late for business, isn't it
Sit down.
Aaron.
It's never too late for business. It was never too
early when we were young — eh, Sachel? Do you
remember forty years ago, when you and I and Abram
stood in line at two o'clock in the morning — to get
the best places at the sale ? Poverty wasn't trumps
then, as it is now.
Esther.
H'm ! I fancy not with you, now.
Sachel.
What did you come about ?
Aaron.
Eh 1 Well, I have something I think you'll want.
20 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
What ?
Aaron.
Eh? Why, some wool. I'll sell it cheap. Feel
that ! As soft as my daughter's cheek !
[Gives Sachel a packet of wool.
Sachel.
[Returning the packet.] I didn't think you'd have
anything I wanted.
Esther.
No ; it wouldn't interest us. Have some coffee,
Rosa!
Aaron.
You think it is not good. You don't know ! That
wool was bought by my daughter, Rebecca, and I'll
back her judgment against any man's in the Ghetto !
[Gives a little to Sachel.] Feel that !
Sachel.
[Breaking the fibres^ and listening to the sound they
make.] His daughter ! Cotton ! More cotton ! His
daughter !
Aaron.
I will match her with your son, any day !
THE GHETTO \i
m
Sachkl.
My son is in no hurry to marry.
, Aabon.
Marry? I meant as a judge of wool. Tou are
the only one that's thinking of marrying him. What's
the matter — doesn't any girl's father want him ?
Sachkl.
[Picking the wool apart.] H'm !
Aaron.
There is a keen demand for handsome young wives
nowadays, judging from the way my daughter is
besieged,
Sachkl.
Your daughter ? You speak as if she had had an
offer.
Enter Rosa with the coffee.
Aaron.
H'm, an offer! But I came here to talk about
wool! If it were not the Sabbath I would burn a
little for you, and you could tell by the smell there
is not a shred of cotton in it !
21 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
Let the Christian burn it for us, then. Rosa, light
that !
[Rosa burns a little of the wool in the spirit
lamp.
Aaron.
[Laughingly.] If you can smell cotton in that, then
the sheep have bean eating cotton-seed, and it has
sprouted through their skins. Do you smell any
cotton ? Ah ! [Exit Rosa.
Sachel.
No; bocause I have picked all the cotton out.
Rubbif h !
Esther.
Have some coffee ?
Aaron.
[Putting away packet of wool.] Oh, well, if you
don't know a good thing when you see it. Ah !
Those cakes of your?, Esther; I remember them,
I remember them of old ! Let me send my daughter
to learn how to make them, will you ?
Esther.
Certainly.
Aaron.
Thai'rf the only thinj under the sky that my
THE GHETTO 23
daughter can't do to perfection. Well, how is that
son of yours ?
Sachel.
Where is he, you had better ask ! Unless I stay
up till midnight, I never meet him.
Aaron.
Oh, well, a young fellow has to have his day I
suppose.
Sachel.
Did I have my day ? I was one of eight souls who
crawled and starved in a room half as big as my shop
parlour. I have known hunger to gnaw at my belly,
till I cried myself to sleep, and dreamt that I was
disembowelled. And my grandmother died, and my
little sister too, from sheer want. Sheer want ! At
his age I could have bought and sold him twice a day.
The fellow is a worthless vagabond !
Aaron.
H'm. I suppose, if the truth be said, he is a worth-
less vagabond !
Sachel.
You — what affair is it of yours ? You would give
half you have — and that wouldn't be much — to have
him in your household !
24. THE GHETTO
Aaron.
Ha ! My daughter has no haste to wed.
Sachel.
Who said anything about wedding ? It is you that
seem to have the subject on your mind.
Aaron.
With my girl ? With Rebecca ? You rely too
much upon your son's good looks and upon the lot
of money he will have.
Sachel,
Who said he would have a lot of monev ? I am
not dead yet.
Aaron.
Even so, your only child is not going empty-handed.
Sachel.
He will go empty-handed, by the Commandments,
if he does not obey his father ! And, in any case, I
have not slaved my eyes away that another man's
child may be fed.
Enter Rebecca.
Aaron.
Still he must marry some day.
THE GHETTO 25
Sachel. ,
Marry whom ? No girl who does not bring twelve
thousand guilders shall marry my son ! [Exit Esther.
[Rebecca pauses at the bridge unobserved and
interested.
Rebecca.
[iisicte.] They are getting on !
Aaron.
[Swelling with indignation.} Twelve thousand
guilders ! Twelve thousand guilders ! A snap of the
finger ! And is your son a prince ? You talk like
an imbecile. Suppose some one was fool enough to
give his daughter such a dowry, what would you give
your son ?
Sachel.
Nothing 1 He has his share in the business — or
will have.
Aaron.
Oh, you're enough to make a man jump into the
sea !
Sachel.
Did I ask anything of you ? Why should you
jump into the sea ?
26 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
Eh, what ? Rebecca ! How did you happen to be
here?
Sachel.
[Ironically.] Yes, how did you happen to be here ?
Rebecca.
Why, didn't you tell me
Aaron.
[Waving her away.] We're talking business, Sachel
and I !
Enter Esther.
Esther, those cakes are wonderful !
Esther.
Thanks! [To Rebecca.] Look here. [Showing
a photograph — watching lier closely.] Rafael is a good-
looking boy, isn't he ?
Rebecca.
Oh, you'd better let me have this ! He wouldn't
mind, would he ? What a fine likeness — but so sad !
Esther.
That's fof some nice girl to take out of him.
THE GHETTO 27
Rebecca.
[Tapping the photograph.] And you'll let me
Esther.
Have the picture ? With pleasure ! Have you
seen Isaac's new warehouse ?
[Points up the canal. Rebecca retires to the
bridge.
[Sotto, to Aaron.] I like your girl — she's remarkably
discreet. When she's married, you'll be lonely
enough !
Aaron.
[Sbfto.] And when she is married, Esther —
[meaningly] — may I take me a wife on the same
day ; one that can bake such cakes as those ! [Aloud.]
Esther, there is not another woman in A msterdam
that can bake such cakes as those !
[The two exchange meaning glances ; they advance
on Sachel, as if now in alliance.
Rebecca.
[JlsicZc.] I don't believe it was about me !
Aaron.
But, outside of that, Rebecca is a wonderful house-
wife, and in the shop — she brings me the trade !
28 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
H'm ! She'll never bring you a son-in-law ! For
you can't spare money to give with her. You need
it all in your business.
Aaron.
Bo I ? With my daughter there will go a trifle of
eight thousand guilders. [Pause.
Rebecca.
[i«(^,] It is about me. They are getting on !
Aaron.
And he thinks a girl will bring his son a matter of
twelve thousand guilders.
Enter Rosa ; she shows that she has been listening
and is troubled,
Sachel.
Let my son tell me he is going to marry a girl with
less than twelve thousand ! I would give him the
choice of starvation. I would lock the door on him.
[Rosa sees the photograph in Rebecca's hand.
Aaron.
Who's talking of your son ? My daughter — Esther,
ust look at her — such a figure, such a skin — such
THE GHETTO 29
eyes ! Esther, Esther, look at her walk ! Look at
her walk !
Rebecca.
Is Rafael at home ?
Rosa.
No.
Esther.
Rafael and Rebecca — that would sound rather well !
Aaron.
My dear woman, I won't give twelve thousand
guilders.
Sachel.
And I won't give my son at less !
Aaron.
Your son ? Did I ask you for your son ? Did I ?
Sachel.
Did I ask you for your daughter ? What is she to
me?
Rebecca.
[\4si<fc.] Oh, they are really getting on !
Aaron.
Oh, my daughter ! I wish your son were her equal !
If I had such a son
30 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
I don't want your advice! [7?we*,] You manag
ycur own child. I'll manage mine. [Starts for shop.
Aaron.
You will ? You can't manage him.' Where is he
now ? Dallying with some wanton, for all you know !
My God, one would think him a second Joseph !
Sachel.
Do you house him ? Do you feed him ? Does he
trouble you ? Speak well of him, or go home !
Aaron.
I will go home !
Esther.
Sit down ! Now talk sense ! It's a good match :
you both know it's a good match, and so— [to Rebecca]
— have you seen the repairs to the old bridge ?
[Rebecca moves fa/rther away, leaving the photo-
graph of Rafael on the walL
[Lowering her voice,] They are both only children.
And so, in any case, the money will stay in the family.
You let Sachel consider it.
[Rosa takes the photograph of Rafael and hides
it behind her.
THE GHETTO 31
Rebecca.
[^Istcfe.] I wonder how Rafael will consider it ?
Sachel.
It costs nothing to consider it, but
Esther.
We'll see you to-morrow.
Aaron.
At my house — before service. Come on, Rebecca ;
I have arranged about the wool. Good-night !
[Exit
Esther.
Good-night !
Rebecca.
Oh, where's my picture of Rafael ? [Rosa drops the
photograph into the canal.] It's gone !
[She looks about for it,
Esther.
How could it have gone ?
[Rebecca sees it in the canal.
Rebecca.
It has fallen into the canal ! It's ruined ! [Looks
at Rosa.] I don't understand. I don't understand !
32 THE GHETTO
'* Esther.
Oh, well ; Rafael has some others. I'll see Rafael.
Good-night.
Rebecca.
[To Rosa.] If the portrait dropped in where I left
it, then it must have floated against the current.
Rosa.
[Fiercely, sotto.] It did go against the current.
[Exit Rebecca.
Sachel.
Not a cent under twelve thousand.
[Rosa, at the bridge, struggles with tears.
Esther.
We shall see ! [Exit,
Sachel.
So we shall. Why doesn't he come ? His miserable
selfishness. My God, if anything has happened to
him ! He doesn't come. He might have been set
upon and robbed — beaten, killed, by some cursed
ruffian beyond the Ghetto. My God — I'm harsh
— too harsh with him. I shall be chastened for it.
I was harsh to his mother ; yes, I know — I know ; I
broke her heart perhaps, and Rafael, poor boy
[Stops, listens.] His step ! Yes ; even — steady — he's
THE GHETTO 33
in no distress. He's not worrying about me. He'Jl
come home to sleep and get more money — that's all.
He's a vagabond — a rascally vagabond !
Enter Esther.
Enter Rafael by the bridge,
Rafael.
[Wearily .] Good evening. [Wo answer.] Good even-
ing ! [No answer J]
[He exchanges guarded looks with Rosa. Exit
Rosa.
Esther.
[Contemptuously.] The gentleman says " Good even-
ing ! " This is his lodging-house, where he does us the
honour to sleep !
Rafael.
I know I am rather late. I hope you were not
anxious about me, father. Were you? Father!
Oh— well !
Esther.
Why should he answer you ? What manner of son
are you ?
Sachel.
Where have you been all day ?
34 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
I — what does it matter ? I know — I promised to
do some business for you — but — there were other
things — I forgot — I am sorry.
Esther.
Oh, he's sorry.
Sachel.
I asked you where you idled all this day, and you
evaded me.
Rafael.
I have been everywhere — and the day vanished
while I was thinking. Have you something to eat,
aunt # ?
Sachel.
We have finished eating.
Esther.
At this time of night ! H'm !
Rafael.
Very well. I will see what I can find.
Sachel.
Oh, my Maker, how heavily thou visitest upon me !
To be thus mocked by a stranger within mine own
THE GHETTO 35
house! If your poor dead mother knew how you
treated me !
Rafael.
Father, the rotten board that marked my mother's
grave is falling to pieces. And you can hardly find
the spot for weeds — weeds !
Sachel.
Is that where youVe been ? Where else ?
Rafael.
Far away — in my thoughts.
Sachel.
Another day — a whole precious day devoured by
your drivelling nonsense! Are you a son? Have
you an old blind father? Oh, my business, my
splendid business, that I slaved and sweated out my
marrow for, dwindling, dwindling with every ticking
of the clock ! And he wants me to buy a new head-
board ! I had better buy one for myself. I had better
be dead than not, with such a son.
Esther.
Sachel ! Sachel ! You cry— -for a son like that
He not worth one tear.
36 THE GHETTO
Hachel.
God punishos mo for all my sins. When ho wo* n
child I have stolen tho broad from my mouth for him,
weeks at a time ; and now I may burrow alone in tho
dark for all he cares, chained to my door-post, chained
to wait till some one comes to deal with me — to rob
and swindle and mock me — because I am alone — and
blind.
.Rafael.
•And the saddest is, it is not my doing, and I cannot
help it.
Hachel.
Not his doing ! Oh, my Maker 1 Can I keep him
in irons and make him use his eyes for me ?
Rafael.
Father, between us matters cannot be improved —
now nor ever !
Esther.
Well, upon my word !
Hachel.
Why not ? You havo something you dare not tell.
There is a woman in it. You had forty guilders when
you wont away this morning. Ilave you a cent of it
left?
THE GHETTO 37
Rafael.
I gave it all to Mordecai to bury his son.
Sachel.
I do not believe it.
Rafael.
Father! For the little time that I remain here
need we add more bitterness to what exists ?
Sachel.
What do you say ?
Rafael.
I am going away.
Sachel.
What — what — what do you say ?
Rafael.
I am going away 1
Sachel.
Oh, oh, that crowns all ! He can look into my
dead eyes and threaten this — without a quiver —
without a qualm !
Rafael.
Ah, there was a time — there was a time, when I
would have yielded any sacrifice for you — when I was
38 THE GHETTO
a boy and you had just gone blind, and my heart was
wrung with a pity for you that was a very pity in
itself. If I had seen tears in your poor sightless eyes,
then my peace would have been utterly destroyed;
at the thought of having vexed you I should have
beaten my brow. And now it's gone — gone — and it
won't come back — it can't come back — because you
robbed me of it.
Sachel.
I ? I ? What have / done ? And why do you go
away?
Rafael.
For reasons all of which I will not tell.
Sachel.
You dog ! To leave your father — sick and blind,
and on the road to poverty ! God shall curse you
for it !
Rafael.
No ; God shall not ! To live under this roof — to
see, day in, day out — nothing — nothing — but, nc —
no ! There are reason?, reasons enough, Heaven be
my judge!
[Several musical instruments begin to tune up in
the house where Daniel and Samson live.
THE GHETTO 39
Esther.
Heaven will be your judge ! There are reasons —
reasons you are ashamed of — reasons you c'ara not
tell!
Sachel.
It is true ! You have fouled my name, you have
been in the mire, you have committed some con-
temptible thing you are ashamed of 1 You are
running away, you dare not tell why !
[Rafael throws over a chair ; regains hie com-
posure.
Rafael.
Is it but three years ago that I was so ignorant, so
raw, and so fond of you? I had known you with
the fire of life in your eyes, and now it had gone; the
light of your soul was as hidden in a dungeon, be-
cause you were blind. Ah, how I suffered ! I shut
my eyes to imagine it — darkness, black nothing ; God's
beautiful sky gone for ever, as if you were in your
coffin under ground ! Awful ! Awful ! And this,
this was my father — my father, whom I loved and
honoured, of all the world !
Sacheu
Who asked your sympathy ? Hold your tongue !
40 THE GHETTO
Rafael
I honoured you because you asked the sympathy of
no man. I honoured you. Shall I ever forget that
Friday, when I stood alone in the gloom of this ware-
house, watching you, sorrowing over your blindness,
with tears in my eyes! You stood by the scales.
They were weighing out your merchandise ; the man
who had bought it stooped and shifted the weights ;
and your creature Jacob read the figures out and you
wrote them down in great coarse scrawls — your grey
head bare, your face turned up to heaven. How I
loved you — how I pitied you ! You bore yourself
with such calm — such fortitude — as if, when God had
touched your eyes, He had whispered into your ears
some portion of the everlasting truth. No one saw
me — I was back in the shadow. And I started for-
ward ; I wanted to say, " Father — go in ; father, never
labour again ! Sit in your chair — rest always — while
I do your bidding — while I do everything ! n But I
did not say it. No ! I stopped ; I slunk back into
the deepest shadow like a criminal. I had uttered a
cry, but you and Jacob did not hear me. On the
platform of the scales, when your client stooped to
balance them, I had seen a foot go out — go out while
your white was turned in holy calm to beavex* —
THE GHETTO 41
go out and press down — so that the scales read false —
so that the man who bought our goods was tricked
and robbed — robbed of the money we had not earned
from him. And again I saw it, and again, and again,
father ! And the man whose foot went out and did
this crime, the man who was stealing and stealing,
time after time, stealing his money, stealing my
respect, my honour, my youth, before my eyes — was
it Jacob? No, it was you — you, my father — my
father, whom I loved and pitied, and they had trusted
— because you were blind !
Esther.
Shame ! That's a lie ! Shame !
Rafael.
[Turning to his father, ,] Is it a lie?
Sachel.
[Hoarsely.] Let him go on. Let him go on.
Rafael.
And that afternoon I went with my father to the
synagogue; I did not pray, I could not speak. I
only gazed at my father's face, waiting to see it soften
into some shade of doubt, of repentance, of remorse.
And the dead eyes faced up to the rafters where the
42 THE GHETTO
sun shone through — they faced up there with the
same impassive stare — the same holy calm, as when
he stood with his foot on the scales. Ah, when we
walked home, how cold and pitiless the sky looked
down at me that winter day ! We sat at our Sabbath
table. He complained that I was silent. He said
prayers, he dipped the bread in the salt. The lamp-
light shone on him, and I stared into his face, and I
saw nothing — nothing I had always thought I saw —
and my heart was ice ; and he rose and stumbled over
a stool and fell, and. I picked him up — and my heart
was still ice. He was no longer blind to me — he was
nothing — nothing but a — ah no, no, — what's the use
— what's the use ?
Sachel.
[Hoarsely.] Have I been different from the others ?
Aaron, Levy, Isaac, would they not have done the
same ? Is there any one who would not take advan-
tage of my eyes ? No ; business is business.
Rafael.
Business, — Aaron, Levy, Isaac ! God, how I have
dc pised them all my life !
Esther.
Oh, he would give overweight!
THE GHETTO 43
Rafael.
I will quarrel no more with you. When I am
gone
Sachel.
You are not going— you shall not go ! [Trembling,]
I have nothing in the world but you. Didn't I do it
all for you) When I am dead the money will be
yours, and the blame sewed up in my shroud with
me. Can't you be content ?
Rafael.
[After looking at him for a moment, hopelessly.] It
is getting late. I am tired. Let us go to bed, and
to-morrow let us part friends.
Esther.
You eat something. Then you'll feel differently.
H'm ! He go away ! I shall call up Rosa !
Rafael.
Thanks, no. I could not eat now. Has she not
done enough this sweltering day ?
Esther.
Then I'm going to bed. No wonder, to Le so
44 THE GHETTO
irregular in your ways. You were up last night.
Couldn't you sleep ?
Rafael.
I did not sleep until nearly morning.
[Exit Esther. Sachel goes to try the shutters.
Well, good-night, father. You won't answer?
Well, good-night I [Music begins in the house at the
back.] [Aside.] They are playing my music. Give
me time— I will show you what is in my soul !
Sachel.
[\4«ide.] The scales — that is not the only reason !
Enter Rosa, who does not see Sachel. She starts to go
to Rafael. Sachel hears her.
Rosa, why are you not in bed ? [Rosa stops motion-
less, mute, /Tightened.] Is that Rosa ? [He is suspicious.
[They do not answer. Exit Sachel into the
house, evidently with a purpose.
Rosa.
[Rushing to Rafael.] Rafael ! Rafael ! Tell me
the truth. Am I not your wife 1 ? Don't you love me ?
Do you love some one else ? Do you love Aaron's
daughter ? They are planning to marry her to you.
THE GHETTO \ 45
What does it mean ? [He motions her to be silent.]
Does it mean that you wish it ? No — no, it can't bo
that : you have said you were going away ; but you
didn't tell them of me. Why? Why do you net
tell them of me ?— soon enough you'll have to ; and
then — then you will have to choose — choose between
the rage of your father — between disinheritance —
poverty — the wrath of all the Ghetto, and me — only
me ! Rafael, my life is in your hands. Love me — love
me, Rafael ! Don't let me doubt you ! [He stops her
mouth. Suddenly Sachel opens the urindow over the
shop-door; he leans out, listens, hears nothing, withdraws. ]
He's in my room — he's searching for me — he suspects
us — he has said so. He's coming down now; he's
going to accuse us ; he's going to tell you to desert
me — desert me or starve ! Rafael, what are you going
to say ? Rafael, what are you going to say ?
[He stops her mouth again ; they look in through
the door. A pause.
Enter Sache^.
Sachel.
She's not in the house ! Rosa — where are you ?
Rosa.
[Whispering to Rafael.] Where ? Where ?
46 s THE GHETTO
Rafael.
[Quietly taking her in his arms.] Rosa is here,
father.
A Watchman.
[Heard in the distance.] Ten o'clock, and all's well !
Ten o'clock, and all's well !
[Sachel shakes his head.
END OF TIIE FIRST ACT.
THE .SECOND ACT
Scene : A living room in the rear of Sachel's shop. A
door at the back opens into the street ; at the left a
staircase runs up over a fireplace to a gallery which
gives access to two rooms off the stage.
Rosa is discovered at the fireplace. Esther is at the
dining-lable, which is set with the Sabbath-cloth.
Esther crosses to a door at the left.
Esther.
Sachel, your medicine !
[Rosa brings a jug of hot water to the table ;
Esther prepares some medicine with the
water^
Enter Sachel.
Sachel.
That girl — where is she ?
48 THE GHETTO
Esther.
She's here.
Sachel.
[.isicfe.] That's what Rafael said last night. Rosa !
Go and water the flowers in my window and pick off
the dead leaves, and be sure you give plenty of time
to it. [Exit Rosa.
Esther.
Well ! Since when have you taken such an interest
in flowers ? - [She goes upstairs.
Sachel.
I want to talk ; I've been awake all night. This
girl keeps lying to me. Last night she had the
effrontery to tell me — [with calculation] — she told me
she was considered beautiful !
Esther.
[Not interested.'] Well, she is beautiful !
[Exit Esther.
Sachel.
H'm ! [He thinks deeply ; rises.] Rosa !
Enter Rosa.
Last night you tried to make me think you were ugly ;
THE GHETTO 49
— you deceived me. You are not a woman — you are a
fiend come into my house — come in out of the Christian
world — to do what ? What do you expect to do here ?
Do you know you are in the heart of the Ghetto ?
What do you expect to do in my house ?
Rosa.
Nothing but what my God gives me the right to
do!
Sachel.
Your God ? I tell you the wall your God built
against us still shuts Him away from here ! You
came into my house to divide it against itself. You
have been getting too near my son. Do you think I
don't know ? You've been trying to turn him against
his religion, you've been trying to turn him against
me!
Rosa.
If I have, then I have failed. Rafael loves you.
Sachel.
You say so ? I ask no better proof that he hates
me ! You came into my house to accomplish this,
you vampire ! Could you not have fastened on some-
D
1
50 THE GHETTO
one else than Rafael? Who sent you here to find
him ? Did your Christian God send you here ?
Rosa.
[Thinking ^Rafael.] Yes, yes, my God did send me
here — [checks herself] — or else I should have starved.
Sachel.
Starve ! Does a demon ever starve ? Not while
young men have hot blood ! Hah ! It is well that I
have found you out before this thing has gone too
far. Don't I know your damned tricks ; you wouldn't
be satisfied with a passing touch of his lips. You've
got a brain — a lying, scheming, devilish brain ! You
want his heart — you want his soul ! By God ! [He
goes vigorously and opens the door, to the street.] Do
you know what I'm going to do ? There's where
we found you — out there in the streets, without a
friend, without a cent, and your dead father
Rosa.
Sachel, my father helped your people !
Sachel.
Now let the Jews help his daughter ! You've
lied to me always ! Shall I believe this story of your
THE GHETTO 5t
father ? I believe he was a demon like you ! I
believe he was sent out of hell to steal away men's
souls, as you were. You've found something to fight
when you've come across me ! Shall I feel a snake in.
my bosom and not cast it out ? [He points to the doer.
You — [He checks himself; a panose.] Shut the door !
Go on with your work ! [Exit Rosa.] No, no, no
— it won't do to tear him away from her. She
is beautiful ; — we must marry him to Rebecca.
Rebecca is handsome, Rebecca is rich, Rebecca is
minx enough. We must marry him to Rebecca if
we can. If not, to some one else — any one else, as
soon as we can. But we must handle him with
care. Ah ! I had better get the Rabbi to talk to
him; the Rabbi has tact. And, for the present,
we must let Rosa be.
Enter Esther. A knock on the door.
Aaron. Come in !
Good morning !
Goad morning !
Good morning !
Enter Aaron.
Aaron.
Saciiel.
Esther*
52 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
I shouldn't have come, my friend, if I hadn't
promised Esther. For I've been thinking it over;
and if there is any question of your son marrying
my daughter, I tell you I will give eight thousand
guilders and no more !
Sachel.
All because I said " Good morning " to you. I have
been considering it. I am willing to talk with you.
As you probably said in your sleep last night, if you
can get rid of your daughter without paying more
than ten thousand guilders, you'll be pretty well
satisfied.
Aabon.
Eh— what ?
Sachel.
Come on, it's time to start to the synagogue ; well
have a talk on the way.
Aaron.
But, my dear sir, eight thousand—
Sachel.
No ; as you said in your sleep — ten thousand !
[Exeunt all.
Enter Samson, cautiously.
THE GHETTO 53
Samson.
Rosa ! Rosa ! [J#u&.] A little show of modesty !
Rosa I Nevertheless she is listening at the other
side of that door ; she thinks I will betray myself in
some soliloquy. H'm ! [Loudly.] Ah — she's not
here; how the blood rushed to my heart, like the
sea beating against a rock, when I thought I should
have two golden moments alone with her ! [He stands
on lowest cupboard shelf to be near her door % which is
upstairs.] But she's gone ! — gone forth to air her
beauty. Such beauty ! Such a face, such a form !
Night after night she floats in my dreams — \}ui
ste}8 up one shelf nearer] — for I love her so that I
have not slept a wink for weeks.
Enter Daniel, unobserved by Samson.
And if she were here I would tell her so ! I could
gratify her tastes ! For once her love is mine. [lie
draws a bunch of keys from his pocket.] She shall hear
such music as this from morn till night
[lie jingles the keys.
Enter Rosa.
One — two — three — four — five — five gold pieces ! Did
I come abroad with only five ? H m ! There are
plenty more like these indoors — yes, in doors ! And
54 THE GHETTO
here I stand perishing with my ardour. Nay, I feel
faint [Daniel bursts into loud laughter.
Rosa.
[To Samson.] You miserable cur ! [Samson descends
sheepishly.] If I were of your faith — if I were not a
servitor, without a father, without a brother, you
would not dare! [Daniel laughs.] And you — if
you were a little better than he, you would have
struck him ! What do you want here ? Go !
Daniel.
Look here, my girl, you need not be so virtuous
when you talk to us 1 We live next to you — our
windows overlook yours— eh, Samson ?
Samson.
Don t you be unpleasant to this lady !
Rosa.
[To Daniel.] What do you mean ?
Daniel,
Lady! What do we mean? What's the differ-
ence ? Rafael is a friend of ours. We are most liberal
— most charitable, eh, Samson ?
THE GHETTO 55
R08A.
Rafael ? Why do you speak of Rafael ? What do
you mean ?
Samson.
Now you needn't bring Rafael into it, Daniel. I
don't want any — any misapprehension with Rafael.
Rosa.
You shall have an understanding with him, you
cowards — you vulgar beasts ! I shall tell him !
Daniel.
He'll tell you to hold your tongue. Are you his
wife ? No ; you're a Christian servant in his father's
house; we know all about that, and you'd better
learn to take a joke.
Samson.
It was only a joke, you know — only a joke— (wn7A
a forced laugh.) [Rosa's anger increases.] Now
don't you tell Rafael that I was trying to get in his
way!
Rosa.
What do you mean ? Get in his way I He would
flick you over his shoulder into the canal. I shall
tell him!
56 THE GHETTO
Samson.
Don't — don't bring Rafael into it! Hasn't he
enough on his mind already ?
Rosa.
Would anything so slight as you increase his
burden ? You cowards ! You both fear him ! You
may fear him !
Enter Rafael.
Rafael.
Hallo ! News ! news ! I've seen Hanakoff — and
Hanakoff says — Hanakoff — what's the matter?
What is the matter ? Which of you was it ? Rosa,
what did they do ?
Rosa.
[Pointing to Samson.] Let him speak.
Samson.
Why — why, she can't take a joke — that's all.
Rafael.
Oh, a joke. What was the joke ? What was the
joke ?
Daniel.
Oh, everything is a joke. Don't we live across the
THE GHETTO 57
street) Can two people help putting their heads
together once in a while ? Well, of course, if you — if
she — if we — why, of course
Rafael.
What did they say ?
Rosa
They said — they insinuated that — that-
Rafael.
I know what they said. You — I — [He takes hold of
them both.] Two people can't help putting their heads
together ! If you will meet me in some seclusion, my
two good friends, I'll show you how two heads can be
so put together that two people shall see stars enough
to read their horoscopes. You shall read in those
stars the name of Rosa — Rosa who, God search my
soul, is purer than the snows on the crest of the
Jungfrau. Quite properly — [as he causes them to bend
low] — quite properly, they bend in homage, Rosa !
And Daniel here, Daniel whom the starving lions
would not taste — the story never seemed to me so
true as now — he says that what he said he did not
say, and can't remember what it was, and is most
sorry that he said it — and see — [forces them] — bends
low. I thank you for your courtesy. And Samson,
58 THE GHETTO
he that slew the thousands with the jawbone of
an ass — which is his jawbone to this day — he's
swallowing those words he spoke, so eagerly that he
chokes! Ha, ha! my ardent friends! [He turns
them about ironically.] And must you go? Ah,
well ! [He pushes them towards the door.] If you
insist — if you insist — Good-bye! Good-bye! [He
throws them violently out.] [Then to Rosa.] I have
seen Hanakoff; he is going to play my music to-
night ; and if — Rosa — [Rosa bursts into tears.] Rosa !
Rosa.
Go away from me !
Rafael.
But why, Rosa
Rosa.
Let me be ! You shall never touch me again ! I
hate you — I loathe you — all of you !
Rafael.
But have I not disposed of them ! Is there any-
thing else ? My darling !
Rosa.
No, never again ; never shall you lay your hand on
me ! I know what lies before me now. I am your
THE GHETTO 50
wife and you will not proclaim me. I am your wiie
and they insult mo, and you bundle them off without
a word such as I wanted, as if I were your mistress,
who must not be vexed ! I know now ; last night
you soothed me over — you took me in your arms
before him ; but he is blind — he did not understand —
he only suspected something foul ; and so it will grow,
until his suspicion makes an open accusation ; and
then you will stand revealed — you will shrink away
from me — you will cry, " I have sinned in the sight
of the synagogue," and I shall be cast out of doors —
a broken plaything, a husk of yesterday !
Rafael.
Rosa ! Rosa ! Are you not my wife ?
Rosa.
Your wife — here in the Ghetto— here among your
people ? No, to them I am a Christian — to them I
cannot be your wife — to them I am a sacrilege — an
insult in their teeth ! Oh ! as one who enters hell I
entered here — a steaming hell of avarice ; not life —
but a sickly poisoned dream of gain, gain — always
gain. I thought I saw a bright light shining in this
horrid place. I flew to you — I gave you my soul — to
find myself — ugh !— only
60 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Horror ! that you should even think such things !
Rosa.
Think such things ! You say you love me with all
your heart — with all your soul. How great is your
soul that dares not the anger of a father who is
wrong? — a soul that fears poverty, disinheritance,
the hatred of the Ghetto ? You fear that you would
be cast off, that you would suffer want and ridicule,
that your father would never feed you and clothe you
again ; and when that fear comes into your heart
what room is left for me ? Love ! Ugh ! Ugh !
What is your love ! The love of the way that is
easiest, the love of the son of honest Sachel — the love
of a Jew !
Rafael.
[Slowly, sorrowfully i\ And now you say " Jew ! "
" Jew ! " as they say it in the streets, among the mob,
when I go beyond the Ghetto. It sounds strange
from lips that I thought loved me ; it sounds strange
from the daughter of your father ! Such a man he
was ! When you and I had our first long talks
together, and you told me of the noble deeds your
father had done in behalf of the Jews, I couldn't help
THE GHETTO 61
loving you for his sake ; and now you call me Jew !
I am a Jew. Never forget that I am a Jew. I have
married you ; and when it is known I shall have no
standing among Jews. The orthodox will avoid me
as a pariah, and the mob of Jews will howl at me
when I go into the street. And I shall still be a Jew
— proud of my race, proud of its fortitude, of the
great triumph which shall come to us Jews when we
have shaken off the material shell which hides our
spirits, and makes us no better and no worse than the
Christians ! No, no 1 You are angry — you don't
care what you say ! You are angry — and you sneer
at my father. What do you know against my father's
honesty ?
Rosa.
He is the father of a man who has married me and
dares not proclaim me.
Rafael.
Dares not 1 Dares not ! Ah, you little know me
if you think that ! Rosa, Rosa ! Look here ! My
dear little girl, you are all wrong. We have agreed
on this point. It was yourself who said that we must
not tell of our marriage yet. [Rosa sinks into a chair.]
You said that I must give my time to my music,
until I had made a name— until we could go forth on
62 THE GHETTO
our own footing — not cast out of that door — without
a cent between us, to be reviled and hustled by the
mob. And I thought of my father — of his old age —
of his pain. If he is wrong — if he is what he should
not be, he's still my father
Rosa.
He called me a demon just now ! He opened the
door and was about to bid me go from here. He said
my father came out of hell. He called me a vampire.
— he called me a snake
Rafael.
Oh— ! Oh— ! Rosa, poor little Rosa !
Rosa.
[Weeping.] I only want you to love me. I want
to know it — to know that they cannot, shall not take
you from me ! Tell me so, Rafael ; burn it into my
heart, Rafael !
Rafael.
Yes, it must be burned into your heart, dear. Before
to-night it shall be. I love you ! I dare anything
for the sake of my love for you !
Rosa.
Rafael ! [Knock at the doer. She rushes upstairs
THE GHETTO 63
Rafael * But your father — [ibtocA:] — you mustn't tell
him!
Rafael.
Hush ! [Exit Rosa. Rafael goes to the window ;
sees Rebecca.] Rebecca! She knows that the old
people will be at the synagogue at this hour. What
does she want here ? A true daughter of her father,
and yet she has many virtues, I suppose ! I wish
she would take her virtues and go home ! I want to
get at my music.
Enter Rebecca.
Oh, some friend of Rosa, I suppose ?
Rebecca.
What — don't you know me ? I am Rebecca — I
used to know you once.
Rafael.
Oh, Rebecca— A bram's daughter, of course. Won't
you ? [Points to a chair.
Rebecca ']
"Not Abram's daughter, Rafael; Aaron's daugh I er.
My father was here only yesterday.
64 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Oh, Aaron's daughter ! Oh yes ! Aaron was here
only yesterday !
Rebecca.
Yes.
Rafael.
And now you are here.
Rebecca.
Yes. He came to sell some wool.
«
Rafael.
Some wool ? I thought it was a lamb he came to
sell. Ah well ! {Motions to chair.'] Let us proceed
to business.
Rebecca.
But I did not come on business.
Rafael.
We are quite alone.
Rebecca.
From what your friends Samson and Daniel have
just told me, I should think not.
[She examines the room.
THE GHETTO 65
Rafael.
How do you like it ?
Rebecca.
[Laughs.] Father said I ought to come and see
Esther.
Rafael*
Oh, so your father — a thoughtful man; your
father, a man of tact, admirable tact !
Rebecca.
You say such strange things !
[A pause. She begins to straggle with a ring on
her finger.
Rafael,
[Yawning.] Admirable tact !
Rebecca.
This ring — it's so tight — it hurts my finger so! I
took it from Isaac's son one time — when we played
that our fathers had engaged us to marry. I don't
suppose it was quite proper of me, was it, Rafael ? It
was years ago— but — but — [/mZfo] — it doesn't come
easily ! [She stretches out her hand to him.] Don't
you want to clear it away, Rafael ?
E
66 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
[Goes to the cupboard,] Just a moment.
Rebecca.
[With her hand still out] Everybody out, Rafael ?
Rafael.
[Bringing a plate.] There's not a Jew in the house.
[He removes the ring easily, and gives it to her
on the plate.
Rebecca.
[Tern?,] Your servant — that Christian person — I
suppose she's listening at that door ?
Rafael.
[He sits on the tablet] You might go up and see*
Rebecca*
[After hesitating, she runs Up the stairs and opens
the door.] Oh ! I don t believe there is any one in the
house but us I I'm afraid to come down 1
Rafael*
You needn't be !
REBECCAi
You mustn't come up !
GHETTO 67
Rafael.
They'll be home soon. Let us proceed to business.
Rebecca.
[Arcldy coming down one step,] Do you call it
business ?
Rafael.
I can't say I do. I weigh 12 stone, Rebecca, and
your father won't give but 8000 guilders. That's —
that's 666 guilders a stone ; 14 into 666 9 that's only
45 guilders a pound ! And
Rebecca.
No, it's over 47^ guilders a pound.
Rafael.
I am sure you are right — only 47 J guilders a pound
he'll give for me. No, I can't say I call that business.
Rebecca.
[Coming down a step.] You don't seem to have much
sentiment about it, Rafael.
Rafael.
Ah, if it were only a matter of sentiment ! [She
comes down two steps.] But sentiment after business,
68 THE GHETTO
Rebecca, after business. I am 40 inches round the
chest, Rebecca ; and if my heart should swell I should
be doubtless 45. But at eight thousand guilders,
Rebecca, it doesn't swell !
Rebecca.
But I — I don't like to talk this way, Rafael; it
doesn't seem to me quite — quite nice.
Rafael.
That is your delicacy, Rebecca, your extreme deli-
cacy. But we must not mix delicacy with business,
Rebecca. He sticks at eight thousand, and not a thing,
I suppose, in the way of dresses, finery, rigging ?
Rebecca.
It's really most unpleasant to have to talk of such
things. Of course I shall have a dozen of everything ;
father has told me so — when I am — when I — I can't
say it ! I really can't speak of it.
Rafael.
That's your shrinking nature, Rebecca, your ex-
treme sensitiveness ! H'm ! How should a man's
heart know which way to beat ? On the one side the
daughter, with her delicacy, her shrinking nature ; on
the other side the father, who sticks at eight thousand
THE GHETTO 69
guilders ! No ; at eight thousand I will not love you.
It would not be dignified at eight thousand !
Rebecca.
[Coming down the remaining steps,] But you don't
suppose that if my father were willing to give, say,
ten thousand, he would begin at more than eight thou-
sand ; not with your father — now would he, Rafael ?
But I think that nowadays, when young people are to
be — when they intend — they ought to have some sen-
timent for each other.
Rafael.
ffm!
Rebecca.
And, moreover, I think that young men should
be more careful as to how they let themselves be
talked about — more careful than you are. They call
you an infidel, Rafael, and they say disagreeable
things about you and this impertinent servant of
yours.
Rafael.
They do ! [A pause.] Of course, if we were to con-
template matrimony — you and I — such a matter
would be very serious.
Rebecca.
It certainly would.
7© THE GHETTO
Rafael.
And so it's very fortunate, Rebecca, that we have
been talking in a kind of irony — you and I — over a
matter which was never even remotely possible!
Isn't it ?
Rebecca.
[After a pause.'] Yes, very fortunate. It would
have been most unfortunate for you if you had ever
entertained the idea. If your father or mine enter-
tain it, we must speedily end that. Go on with your
scullerymaid ; it's nothing to me.
Rafael.
No, it's nothing to you, Rebecca ! You and I don't
want to marry, and they are trying to chain us
together against our wills! We must fight them,
Rebecca ! We must put our backs against the wall !
Your father will whisper avarice to you. Hell bid
you look around. "This is thy neighbour's house,"
he'll say. " It will all be Rafael's ; see — see— treasure,
value, gain ; see the jewels there, the gold and silver,
the rich laces and old articles of art — all his, my girl
— and his father will die soon ! He'll die of joy if he
gets eight thousand guilders with his daughter-in-law.
And then it will be all yours — yours and Rafael's;
yours to hug and wrap your soul around, my girl ;
THE GHETTO 71
all— all, from the last atom of diamond dust in the
cases there, to the rust on the nail in the latch on the
door that keeps away the moans of the starving ! "
Rebecca.
But do you think ?
Rafael.
But you won't be betrayed by an old man's lust
for gold. No ! You'll say : " Father, I have a heart ;
I will not give myself to one I do not love, to soothe
your itching palm ! " You'll look well saying that,
Rebecca ! You'll stand and face him in the dignity
of truth ! You'll be defending the next generation
against the crawling viper of greed ! I'd like to be
there ! I'd like to see the flash in your eyes ; even
now you cannot think of it without fire in your
look ! I see the anger of righteousness ; I cannot too
deeply express my respect, Rebecca !
Rebecca.
Do you think I don't know what you mean ? You
think I want to marry you — to get you away from
this vile creature — this unthinkable person who
Enter Rosa.
Rafael.
Will you be so good as to say no more about Rosa !
72 THE GHETTO
If a man — \He checks himself.] Let me tell you what
she is to me
Rosa.
Rafael, Rafael 1
Rebecca.
Oh ! She calls you Rafael ! She was listening all
the time ! What they say is true : you thrust your
shameful doings in my face ! I shall tell my father
— I shall tell everyone ; they will stone you from the
Ghetto ! You tried to make a fool of me ; and you
—you [Site bursts into tears. Exit.
Rafael.
And now I'm going to break my poor old father's
heart. I am going to tell him that you and I were
married by the Civil Authority beyond the Ghetto,
that we are one and indivisible. Poor old man ! I
am not without love for my father, you know. He
will think that I am lost for ever ; he will turn me
away from his door with a curse on his lips; and
then, when we are gone, he'll sink down in his chair
and weep ; a broken life, an old age come to nothing !
And he may die at any moment — it may kill him —
and he might have died and never have known it.
THE GHETTO 73
Rosa.
Rafael, I can't be the cause of his death ! Don't
tell him, Rafael ! I will try to live on — as we are.
Rafael.
Live on as we are, with this doubt in your heart ?
You have said I dared not face poverty for your sake.
Such a doubt must be killed at any cost. I won't have
it coming back to you to mar your faith in me in after
years. No; there's no question of my not telling
him ; there's only the question of how to tell him.
Rosa.
Rafael, I would rather you wouldn't ! I have
been selfish; I forgot about your father; I forgot
about your music.
Rafael.
My father will probably speak first of Rebecca. I
shall say : " No, father, I will marry no woman I do
not love." Then that will be settled ; my father will let
the matter drop. Then I shall tell him about you.
Either he will be violent or he will ask me a few
questions between his teeth, such as : " How much
money have you ? "
Rosa.
Nothing ! •
74 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Or, " What vocation are you master of ? "
Rosa.
The music — if he could only hear !
Rafael.
My father is as deaf to my art as he is blind.
" Are you master of an art, when it will not yield
you bread ? " he will say.
Rosa.
But it will yield you bread, if you will but wait,
Rafael !
Rafael.
I was very happy when I came through that door.
I saw Hanakoff this morning. He is going to play
my Fantasia to-night, Rosa, before the aristocracy ;
he is going to let me lead his orchestra ! And in a
month he would have played my Symphony !
Rosa.
Would have ! Why not, then ?
Rafael.
Why not? It won't be possible, Rosa,
THE GHETTO 75
Bosa.
It must be possible ! Why not ? Why not ?
Rafael*
Well, because the Symphony isn't finished, and in
the time when I thought to finish it I shall be work-
ing with my hands to keep us from starving — if a
man can keep from starving by working with his
hands !
Rosa.
Rafael, you shall not tell your father ! You shall
not sacrifice your career to me. I wounded you too
deeply. I didn't mean what I said — I didn't realise
what I was doing. See, dear, we must wait for the
Symphony. You must go on with your work — you
must have peace — you must know that I love you —
that I cannot doubt you ! Don't you feel that the
music will succeed ?
Rafael.
It must succeed ! It's beautiful. My God, I know
it's beautiful! Because it is you, Rosa, shining
through my art, lifting up my spirit till I can't call
the work mine. It comes from you and from God !
Rosa.
Then, against my will, will you put me between
76 THE GHETTO
God and the message he sends to the world through
you ? No !
Rafael.
I must accept the challenge you have made. I am
a musician ; but I'm a man first !
Rosa.
But — but I [She weeps.
Rafael.
Don't — don't ! And this is the day I had looked
forward to for so many weary months ; my music has
found a great man who believes in it, and on that
day my spirit is sunken within me ; I am waiting to
give my father a blow that may kill him, and the
woman I love so tenderly is sobbing her foolish little
heart out on my knee !
Rosa.
[Springing up.] Not now ! I have stopped sobbing
— the tears have cleared my eyes — I see better than
you ! I will not have you magnify the doubt I threw
into my angry words. There was no doubt ; I spoke
falsely. Have I not given you my life ? I should
not dare to doubt you ! There are things that must
not, shall not be done. We are going to pass through
a fire of hatred, scorn, ridicule. We must have sue-
THE GHETTO 77
cess, we must triumph, and we must protect your
father from harm. Go ! Tell your father you
cannot marry Rebecca ; tell him he must not think
of that. Lead him home, speak kind words to him,
but don't tell him of me. And then go to work on
your Symphony. You say I inspired it. You touch
my vanity. I want to inspire it to the end ! Don't
mind me, don't think of me. Work, work, and only
let me once in a while come softly, silently, and
[She kisses his hand,
Rafael.
Rosa ! Rosa ! How you tempt me ! I want to do
what is right. I can't tell which it is, but the child
of my soul is coming forth into the world, and your
kiss is so like a mother's kiss — it seems to bid me be
gentle to my child — not to kill it before it is born.
Oh, how I love my music — love it because it lets me
express my love for you ! I say the world shall
never forget how I loved you when my music goes
down to history ! Rosa, Rosa, can you wait — can
you trust me ?
Rosa.
[Joyfully.] You are going to grant my prayer —
you're going to wait— wait! I'm so glad — I'm so
glad!
78 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Unless they force me to it, I'll wait. I must go
and find my father ; it's late already. And then to
the Symphony ! Ah, you — you are my Symphony — it
cannot fail ! We must have success — and then let
the Ghetto do what it can ! I ought to be back in
an hour. Will you steal a moment to let me tell you
how things stand ?
Rosa.
Yes! yes! Good-bye! good-bye! Remember, there
is no Rosa — she does not exist !
[Rafael shakes his head laughingly ; kisses her.
Exit. She stands smiling and happy.
A Voice Without.
That was the man; he's going to marry a
Christian !
Rosa.
Oh!
Another Voice.
He's going to marry the Christian servant in his
father's house !
Various Voices.
Oh ! Shame ! shame ! [Rosa runs to the window.]
Oh ! Oh !
THE GHETTO 79
The Second Voice.
It's a sacrilege ! He's an infidel !
Tiie Third Voice.
He's a dog ! [Mingled cries of " Yes, yes I "
Rosa.
What will they do ? That girl ! that girl ! she has
told them !
The First Voice.
Shall he do this in our teeth and not suffer 'i
Various Voices.
No, no I
Rosa.
Ah ! they'll stone him ! Ah ! God, it might
be the last time he ever touched my lips !
A Woman's Voice.
Stone him ! Stone him ! He mocks our God !
Rosa.
Ah, Rafael! What shall I do ?
80 THE GHETTO
Various Voices.
He does ! He's a dog ! He insults us all ! Out
of the Ghetto with him ! Come on !
[A nwmber of rough men and women charge
along the street, and are seen through the
window, repeating their cries, which then
begin to diminish in the distance.
Rosa.
It has come! He's alone — he'll face them — he
will not yield an inch ! [A rising yell of the mob is
heard.] Rafael ! No, he shall not be alone ! No !
No!
[She opens the door. A yell from the mob farther
in the distance; she locks the door and runs
off past the window. A still more distant
yell from the mob dying away.
END OF THE SECOND ACT.
THE THIRD ACT
Scene : A street. At the right the entrance to the
synagogue, with steps and a portico. At the left
the house of Aaron, before which are some chairs,
in the shade of an awning. Some trees and shrubs
give a grateful contrast to tlie surroundings of
Sachel's house, seen in Act I.
The final chant of a Jewish service is heard within the
synagogue. Enter Rebecca, flushed from her
interview with Rafael, as the chant ends, and
among others, Aaron comes out of the synagogue.
Aaron.
Ah, you've come back ! Did you find Esther at
home?
Rebecca.
No ; you knew she would not be at home !
F
82 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
Eh ! After you had gone, my dear, there I saw her,
going into the synagogue.
Enter Rosa ; she looks about anxiously.
Well, how did you — how did you get on ?
Rebecca.
[Angrily, seeing Rosa.] I
Aaron.
[Seeing Rosa.] 'Sh ! It's all arranged, my girl !
You wanted him; now you have him. Are you
happy ?
Rebecca,
[Her eyes on Rosa, with growing malevolence.] Yes.
Aaron.
Go in. Rafael is coming here, and the Rabbi — a
quiet talk. Make yourself look well; the boy's a
little high-strung, you know. By-and-by we will go
out by the shop door ; we will come round this way
and join them. We must use tact. Will you come
in?
Rebecca.
[Still facing Rosa.] In a moment. [Exit Aaron.
THE GHETTO 83
Rosa.
[Overcoming a reluctance.] Have you seen Rafael ?
Rebecca.
He's not here. [Malignantly.] He went home
again.
Rosa.
Do you speak the truth ?
Rebecca.
If I spoke all the truth I know you would not stay
to hear it !
Rosa.
All the truth you know would not take long to
tell ! [Exit.
Rebecca.
She hates me ! She shall hate me more !
[Exit into the house.
Enter Sachel and Esther from the synagogue ;
she looks about.
Sachel.
You do net see him ?
Esther.
Not yet.
84 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
He won't come ; he suspects that the Rabbi will try
to influence him.
Enter Samson and Daniel.
Esther.
He said he would walk home with us. Good after-
noon, have you seen Eafael ?
Daniel.
Good afternoon. [To Samson.] Have we seen
Eafael!
Samson.
Is he looking for us?
Sachel.
He might be ; he does not care what vagabond he
goes with.
Daniel.
It is true ! For I hear he is about to turn Christian
and marry his father's maid-servant !
Samson.
And any one who dislikes it is to be thrown out of
the house— even if it be his father ! Daniel, shall we
stay to meet such a person ?
THE GHETTO 85
Daniel.
I scorn the interview ! [Exeunt.
Sachkl.
You are rascals and liars ! [To Esther.] They
speak the truth ! It is Rosa who has turned my son
Esther.
Oh, be still ! Here comes the Rabbi !
Enter The Eabbi, with a father, a mother, and their
son, who seems subdued, as if after an exhorta-
tion by The Rabbi. The Rabbi dismisses them
blandly.
The Rabbi.
That boy came as stubborn as a donkey, but a
little touch of sympathy, enough concession to soothe
his pride, a little tact withal, and he departs as meek
as a lamb.
Sachel.
But Rafael is my son, and you cannot twist. him
about your finger. He has no heart ; he treats me
like a dog. They say he is foul of my maid-servant.
If it's true — : —
The Rabbi.
'Shi 'sh! Scandalous! Are you every gossip's
86 THE GHETTO
plaything ? Come ! Violence, violence — we shall do
nothing with violence. Rafael is young, short-sighted
and stubborn ; but he's a good fellow at heart. We
must handle him delicately, like a big trout. You
leave him to me, and he will stay at home and marry
Aaron's daughter, willingly.
[They sit in front of Aaron's house,
Esther.
Now what did I tell you, you silly old man !
The Rabbi.
Silly old man ! Not at all. An affectionate father,
deeply troubled about his only child — sorely vexed
because too many things have gone wrong at once !
Would you have him sit still and not open his mouth ?
Oh no, Sachelisnot the man to let things take care of
themselves !
Saohel.
It is true ! What does she know about the feelings
of a parent ? Ah, I would mould things now, Rabbi,
but times have changed. Once, as it is written in
the Books of Moses, a sen must obey his father, or he
would be stoned to the gates of the city 1 That was
right !
THE GHETTO 87
The Rabbi.
It was right then; but, as you so very rightly
observe, Sachel, times have changed ; and when one
throws stones now, one must pay for the windows.
So, instead of stoning Rafael, we shall marry him to
Rebecca ; and in time you shall be the grandfather of
a boy ; a boy, I say ! Ha, ha, ha ! You don't laugh
enough, Sachel !
Sachel.
I cannot laugh 1 I tell you there is a serpent in
my house. This girl — this Rosa, I could swear that
she
The Rabbi.
Shame ! shame ! I won't hear about it ! It was for
you that I was preaching, but you do not listen when
you come to synagogue. Of course, you were think-
ing about Rafael. You leave him to me. He shall
marry Rebecca, do you hear ? In such matters as
this you are a child !
Sachel.
He shall do my bidding, or he shall go in rags!
'Sh!
[They all listen. Enter Rafael, with his hand
bound up carelessly in a handkerchief.
88 THE GHETTO
The Rabbi.
Why, it's Rafael ! What an unexpected pleasure !
Rafael.
It is a long time since I have seen you.
Sachel.
Daniel and Samson are liars ! But if it were true,
I would
The Rabbi.
Tut, tut ! What's the matter ? Mumbling about
business matters on the Sabbath ! Well, well, how
you've shot up since — since
Rafael.
Since last I came to the synagogue I have had time
to grow.
The Rabbi.
I pass that over. I don't look upon you as gone
astray. You are seeking for the light, and when you
find it, whether you think so now or not, you will
find it there ! [Indicating the synagogue.] Just as
when you find happiness you will find it here.
Rafael.
In the house of Aaron ?
THE GHETTO 89
The Rabbi.
With your father, and at home, under the
roof where your mother lived. Ah ! what a fine
career is open to you in following out your father's
business ! It isn't every boy who has such opportu-
nities !
Rafaei.
Business ! You in your synagogue — you ought to
be the enemy of business. You ought to preach it
to our people without end that their life of morning,
noon, and night, and not a breath drawn but for sake
of gain, is a sickly mockery of life, and that it is
against the law of Moses !
The Rabbi.
Another prophet ! Business, gain, contrary to the
laws of Moses ! Go on, my boy ! Let us have the
sermon you would preach ! Ha, ha ! Go on ! Now
I shall learn something.
Rafael.
Have I not read in the Book of Moses how the
people divided the soil, and there was no one who had
more than another ; and there was no grinding of the
poor, and there was never any selling of lands : " For
mine is the soil, and you are but strangers unto
go THE GHETTO
Me ! " And among them was not business despised ?
How did Jacob speak of Issachar ?
The Rabbi.
Bravo! "A strong ass," eh? Ha, ha, ha!
YouVe been deep in the Pentateuch. Where will you
find such inspirations in any other Sacred Book?
But you should read them under guidance, you foolish
boy!
Rafael.
Under guidance ! There is a guidance born in me
that takes me where I am, and I do not fear ! It is
a guidance that lives to-day ; it is not a guidance dug
from the bones of a dead people of the dim past ! I
know. You are going to say that Solomon did business,
that David did business. I don't care if they did!
And you tell me that I skim the surface, that I miss
the spirit of the Jewish faith ; and I tell you that it
is this spirit that my soul revolts against — the spirit
that holds our people in chains — the chains of the
Ghetto !
The Eabbi,
Ghetto ! There is no Ghetto ! We do not live in
Ghettos now, my boy ! Preposterous !
THE GHETTO 91
Rafael.
And now you are skimming the surface, and you
will not see the truth that underlies ! You say there
is no Ghetto! Could I ever play with any but
another Jew when I was a child ? Could I ever eat
with a Christian ? Was I ever taught by any but
a Jew? No, you have taught me to despise the
Christians !
The Rabbi.
They persecuted us for ages ; they have not taught
us to admire them.
Rafael.
They have ceased to persecute us, they have taken
down the stones of the Ghetto walls, but still we
are taught to despise them ; still we try to think
ourselves the chosen people. We set ourselves as a
race against them and the universal brotherhood of
man. This is the proof of it : our women we marry ^
theirs we pay I
The Rabbi.
That is not true ; it's a shameful calumny !
Rafael.
I can pick you ten young men to prove it — out of
those that heard you preach to-day !
92 THE GHETTO
The Eabbi.
How dare you say such a thing ! Are you a Jew
no longer ? Am I speaking to a Christian ?
Rafael.
You are speaking to a Jew who claims to-day and
to-morrow as his own— not yesterday ! A Jew who
believes that it shall not be asked if a man worship
in a synagogue or in a cathedral, in a chapel or in a
mosque, or in silence and solitude under God's own
dome! And the falsehood you have brought me up
by ; our hatred and our bigotry which keeps us away
from them, our cursed earthiness which keeps them
away from us — I loathe it all — I hate it — I will fight
it as long as I live! I am a Jew — a Jew of to-day
and to morrow ; and every man whom God created in
his image is my brother !
The Eabbi.
The boy's gone daft ! Daft !
Sachel.
No, not that ; he's been poisoned — poisoned by this
damned creature in my house ! She's his
The Eabbi.
Be still ! I lost my self-control— set me a better
THE GHETTO 93
example. I — I — it is many yean — indeed, I may say
I have never listened to such a tirade ! Let me tell
you, you will live to rogret what you have said here
in the very shadow of the synagogue. I will not
treat it seriously ; I cannot ! That you — a mere
boy who has gobbled a bit here and a bit there from
the Book of Law, should have the monstrous effrontery
to— to—
Rafael.
Father, are you ready to walk home now ?
Sachel.
I — I am not rested yet. [He pokes The Rabbi.
Rafael.
From the sermon ?
Enter two rough fellows, supporting another, who has
a swollen eye ; they stand at a distance, with sinister
looks at Rafael.
Sachel.
Ha, ha! [Pokes The Rabbi.] You don't laugh
enough 1
The Rabbi.
As I was about to say, when I was interrupted,
you have said that Rafael wants to go away. Then
94 THE GHETTO
let him go! When he comes back he'll have a
different view of his people. Do you fear he won't
come back ; not come back to his home — to his blind
old father? You are foolish, Sachel I Drive him
away, and he'll find that there is no home in the
world like a Jewish home— that a clock ticks nowhere
in the world as it does by one's own hearth. Ah,
the Christians don't know what family life is ; they
have nothing to compare with ours. It is because
we stay by one another, because we are sober and
temperate and industrious and respectful of our
elders !
[Rafael goes up, faces the three men at the back ;
they slink off. He returns, showing a new
determination in his face,,
Sachel.
He ought to marry; then he would appreciate
that.
The Rabbi,
Marry? Who spoke of marrying? He doesn't
want to marry yet ; I wouldn't have him marry yet.
Don't try to hurry Rafael; he's not the fellow to
stand it. My dear friends, when the time comes, and
a strong, fine-looking young fellow makes up his
mind that
THE GHETTO 95
Rafael.
It is a good idea. I have been thinking of marriage
all day.
Sachel.
Eh, you have? Now what sort of thoughts did
you have ? I suppose you thought I would object,
eh?
Esther.
But he doesn't know any girls. He never looks at
them !
Rafael.
I know one,
Esther.
Indeed ! And whom, pray ?
Rafael.
Aaron's daughter — Rebecca. Do you know her ?
[Sachel nudges The Rabbi.
Esther.
This is where she lives ; and she came to see us
yesterday, with her father.
Rafael.
Indeed ! What did he come for ?
96 THE GHETTO
Esther.
To soil some wool! She's a fine girl, I should
say.
Rafael.
A delicate person — a retiring person-— a shrinking
person !
Esther.
Oh, not too much so.
Rafael,
[As if disappointed!] Then you think she is not so
sensitive a creature ?
Esther.
Well, I should say she was perhaps rather sensi-
tive.
The Rabbi.
Shrinking, I should say.
Sachel.
Shrinking ; she is shrinking, I should say !
[A pause.
Esther.
Well
The Rabbi.
And
THE GHETTO 97
Sachel.
And did ?
Rafael.
Eh ? Bain— rain? Oh no !
The Rabbi.
Speaking of Rebecca reminds me, and I will tell
you an anecdote
Rafael.
Carious coincidence that, just as my mind was full
of thoughts of love and matrimony, in should burst
this same Rebecca !
Sachel.
Eh ? eh ? [He nudges The Rabbi.
The Rabbi.
Curious? Not at all ! Beauty, health, cleverness
— the idea is in the air, wherever she goes. If I
were a young man — but such matters are not for my
concern until they are brought to the synagogue — I
should
[Rebecca appears at the window of Aakon's
house.
Rafael.
True, Rabbi, true! And you do wisely not to
meddle with them. Do you know there was a faint
a
98 THE GHETTO
suggestion in the air — like the subtle odour of some
tender flower — that possibly Rebecca would not be
averse to marrying me !
Sachel.
Well, well, well ! Hee, hee !
[He nudges The Rabbi.
Esther.
Dear me ; love at first sight !
Rafael.
Not at first sight; we have had previous inter-
views—
Sachel.
Eh ? eh ? The rascal !
Rafael.
-about fourteen years ago. And now we have
met again, and I thought she would be willing to
marry me, but being so shrinking a creature, like —
what shall I say — like a snail withdrawing into its
shell [Rebecca draws back in pain.
Esther.
[Mildly deprecating.] Oh !
THE GHETTO 99
Rafael.
She would not say so in as many words.
[Rebecca looks out again.
Esther.
I am sorry for the poor girl ; for, if the truth be
told — But, there, you are not serious about anything !
Sachel.
Why do you say "poor girl" when she would
bring
The Rabbi,
But Rafael doesn't look to dowries; he has a
romantic turn. The fact that she would bring five
or six thousand guilders
Sachel.
Ten thousand guilders !
Rafael.
Ten thousand guilders ! [In irony.] H'm! But —
Oh, well, I'm not a very keen observer, Rabbi ; it is
probable that Rebecca never
The Rabbi.
On the contrary. For, speaking of that very
matter, which, of course, is no affair of mine, she
ioo TUB GHETTO
Rafael,
Quito truo, quito truo ! What did you Bay, aunt t
Khthsh.
Kb ? Oh, T wftH going to my that hIio tagged your
photograph of mo yontorday, and when it dropped into
tho canal Hho wan almoat ready to cry.
Rafael.
H'm ! But it wan caroloim of her to drop me into
that nanty canal !
Bach el.
It blow in ; thoro came a groat gtwt of wind.
Rafael.
Tho wind muat havo boon Aaron, disputing tho
value of bin wool !
Tiir Raiihj,
Uood ! (Jowl ! Ha, 1m, lia! Ho han a mind ; ho
will not lot Iiih heart rtin away with hi* hood 1
Rafael.
And ho Rotiecav I I'm I Rut I iball not let
THE GHETTO 101
my heart run away with my purse. I should hold
my hot young blood in bounds !
Sachel.
Not always ! Not always ! A young man must
have his day !
Rafael.
But is she well ? Is she sound ? One cannot be
too cautious. I knew of a girl who seemed as strong
as a green peach on a tree ; and she had not been two
days married when, what do you think ? Why, she
died ! She knew she was going to die, but she
never told him ! That's awful, awful ! Oh ! Oh !
I could not stand a thing like that! [The Rabbi
rises to look at Rafael's face.'] I have a soul, Rabbi,
I know, because you taught me so, and a deception
like that — it would kill my love.
[Rebecca draws in, distressed.
The Rabbi.
Are you serious ?
Rafael.
Am I serious ? He asks me if I am serious ! But
that was not Rebecca. You think Rebecca is
The Rabbi.
She's as honest as her father !
102 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Ah ! Two of them, as honest as each other 1 [The
Rabbi has growing appreciation of the irony. ~\ H'm !
But a good housewife ? A good needlewoman ? Sharp
over the counter ? My father has not slaved to feed
the idleness of another man's daughter !
Esther.
I'll answer for that. I thought I could bake cakes,
but she's coming to-morrow to teach me how ! You
never tasted such cakes !
The Rabbi.
Indeed, I believe I have heard them spoken of.
Sachel.
[Who has been musing.] Eh — cakes? You cannot
expect a girl to know everything. Anyway, she's
coming to-morrow ; and Esther is going to
Rafael.
Esther is going to learn from her. Excellent !
Sachel.
Eh ? [He is nudged by Esther.] Yes, yes !
THE GHETTO 103
Rafael.
Good, good ! I half suspect that — that you look
with favour on Rebecca. We — we had considerable
conversation this morning, we talked of money — and
love — and
Sachel.
They talked of love ! Now, what did you say of
love?
Rafael.
And we talked of money — and of children — and of
— money.
[Esther looks at The Rabbi ; she also now in
dawning suspicion of Rafael's irony.
Sachel.
Ha, ha ! They talked of love and children ! Of
love and children ! We must have some wine, Rafael
— this is the house of a friend. Esther, you go and
fetch it. Now what
Esther.
They charge two prices at that place around the
corner.
Sachel.
I say we will have some wine ! Some good wine
Go!
104 THE GHETTO
Esther.
Very well ; it is a season of denial with us.
The Rabbi.
But the extreme heat ! [Whispers.] Get some from
my house. [Exit Esther.
Sachel.
H'm ! They talked of children and love ! And
what did you say about children, my boy ? Ah, they
are beautiful things ; though I could not see one, I
could fondle it ! What about children, my boy ?
Rafael.
We said that they should each have two cradles ;
one with a soft pillow of burnt wool and one with a
hard pillow of burnt cotton, so that they should learn
the difference before they were old enough to tell the
sun from a silver coin.
[An angry gesture from The Rabbi.
Sachel,
Eh, what — H'm ! Yes, yes, but later — later
would do as well. And about love, Rafael ; what did
she say about love ?
Rafael.
Oh, she is a shrinking creature—- as shrinking as
THE GHETTO 105
wool unmixed with cotton I And, at first, she would
not talk of love, but at length she said that when
she was married she expected to have a dozen
Sachkl.
A dozen ! That's too large a family in such times
as these !
Rafael.
A dozen of everything.
Sachel.
Ah yes — a dozen of everything, Rafael ; a dozen
of the finest. Her father has told me so.
Enter Esther, followed by a servant with glasses
of wine on a Pray.
And a dowry of ten thousand guilders ! "What do you
think of that, my boy ? The wine — here ! I shall
propose a toast ! [He takes a glass and gives glasses
to the others; Esther and The Rabbi take theirs
tmwiUingly.] Here ! Here !
The Rabbi.
[Holding his glass toward Rafael.] I suggest a toast
to an open heart — to a tongue that leads no man astray !
106 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Hear ! The Rabbi suggests that — with his tongue !
I'll drink that toast with you, Rabbi I
Sachel.
It is my wine ! I am proposing the toast ! I
The Rabbi.
[To Sachel.] You had better drink in silence, and
go home. You are deceiving yourself : you know not
where you stand !
Rafael.
What! What does he mean, father? Am I
deceiving myself? Are you not planning to marry
me to Rebecca ? Do you fear, then, that I have fallen
in love with her? Is she not an honest girl — a
shrinking girl — a girl as good as Father Aaron ?
Sachel.
Yes, and better !
Rafael.
Will she not bring me a dozen of everything, and
ten thousand guilders ? Could man ask more ? What's
wrong here ? Why do they not raise their glasses ?
THE GHETTO 107
Sachel.
Because they will not let me manage my own
affairs ! He is my son, not yours ! It is my wine,
not yours ! Drink, then, drink to Rebecca, the richest
girl in the Ghetto, a beautiful young girl, a marvel-
lous young girl
[Esther turns appealingly to The Rabbi ; both
look on in distress and perplexity.
Rafael.
But they do not raise their glasses, father ; they
will not drink, father ! Why ? Do they see hand-
writing on the wall ? Do they think I have forsaken
my race ? Do they think I have given my heart and
soul to the heart and soul of another ? Why do they
not raise their glasses ?
Sachel.
Let them throw it on the ground if they will !
Every one tries to thwart me, every one but you ; but
they shall not I I am Sachel ! Drink with me I
Drink to Rebecca, your wife, Rafael ! For this day I
have seen Aaron ; I have sat with him — yesterday and
to-day I have sat with him ! I have laboured with
him, my boy ; your father was not wanting ! He
would have squirmed into my house with eight thou-
108 THE GHETTO
sand ; but I raised him ! I raised him two thousand,
my boy ! We have agreed, agreed ! She is yours,
Rafael — yours! To Rebecca, my daughter-in-law!
Now will you drink — will you clink your glasses?
[He reaches about ; no one clinks ; Rafael turns away
and pours his wine on the ground.] Where are you %
I'm all alone! What's the matter 1 What's the
matter ?
Rafael.
They have not touched their glasses, father ! They
stand staring at you, without words !
Esther.
Sachel, come home !
Sachel.
■
What do you mean ? You fools, what do I care
what you mean ! He's going to stay at home and be
my boy, my comfort, my staff in my old age ; he's
going to marry Rebecca ! Rafael and Rebecca !
Rafael and Rebecca ! Does it not sound beautiful —
beautiful !
Enter Aaron by way of the street, dragging Rebecca
by the hand ; she holds back in deep mortification.
Aaron.
Ha, ha ! It does ! It does !
THE GHETTO 109
Rebecca.
Father !
Aabon.
Don't be afraid, my girl. [To the others.] I suspected
what you were doing ! Rafael — [effusively] — since the
day she was born I've had an eye on you I Eh,
what's the matter ? Why are you all so glum ?
Rafael.
[He goes to the table and gets a glass, then back.]
On this solemn occasion, sir, I was about to propose
a toast.
Sachel.
Yes.
Aaron.
[Goes to table.] We'll drink it here
[He offers the glass to Rebecca.
Rebecca.
I don't want to drink, father; I want to go in,
father !
Aaron.
Bosh! What are you afraid of? Speak on, my
boy!
Sachel.
Yes, speak on, and speak your soul to them ! They
no THE GHETTO
need not think to thwart this marriage ! Let them
beware !
Aaron.
[Surprised.'] What's this about ?
Rafael.
It's about my soul — my soul that leaps its bounds
at last — my soul that speaks from the heart of a
man ! [A passer-by at the back stops to listen.] My
soul that dwelt in the wilderness — a rumbling,
roaring, raging, lying, sweating wilderness of traffic
in the things of earth — my soul in the wilderness
crying in vain, in vain, for the love of another soul
like mine. Is it not so, Rebecca ?
Aaron.
Hear, hear !
Rebecca.
Let me go, father !
Rafael.
Let me go, father; let me go! I would not be
slain on the altar, father! The knife is in my
flesh ! This is the blood of my heart ! God, crieth
THE GHETTO in
my soul in vain ? Where — where is the angel that
shall stay my father's hand ?
[A crowd slowly gathers.
Aaron.
Masterly! Masterly! Here she is! What an
auctioneer he would make !
Rafael.
What an auctioneer I should make ! Ah ! [He
runs and stands on the synagogue steps.] My father
bids me sell my soul ! Shall I sell it cheap — my soul
and my heart's blood ? Shall it be knocked down to
the solitary thirsty first who bids ? I, to whom the
stench of avarice is the breath of morning and night
— I, who have seen a man sell his soul on the
scales
Sachel.
What does he mean by that ?
Rafael.
I — to be knocked down for two pink lips and a
banknote ! See — my red heart's blood ! See—see —
see ! And you would have me sell it for ten thousand
pieces of silver ! And I say no ! no ! no !
H2 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
He wants more ! Oh ! I will not give it, do you
hear? It is an insult to ask more — an insult to
my daughter !
Rebecca.
Father, come away !
Esther.
Sachel, come home !
Sachel.
Let me be ! What does he want ? What does he
mean?
Aaron.
Ha, ha ! he wants more !
Rafael.
I want more ! The sale shall be public ! [Ths
crowd thickens.] I will have my price. Who bids
more ? Who bids ? What do you bid, my girl ?
Rebecca.
Nothing — nothing — I [Exit.
THE GHETTO 113
Rafael.
She bids all she has, and yet I will not take it !
More— more — who bids me more ?
Aaron.
Ha, ha ! ten million guilders, idiot !
Enter Rosa, at the bach
Rafael.
He bids ten million guilders, and that is still too
small. You bid nothing but money, money; have
you nothing else ? Who comes ? Who bids ? Who
bids ? See, see — [He points to Rosa, who has
worked forward, pressed by the crowd.] Another
bidder ! Another bidder ! The angel — the angel
come to stay my father's hand !
[Esther and others twm fiercely on Rosa.
Rosa.
[Panic-stricken, pressed by the crowd.] Rafael !
Rafael!
Sachel.
It's Rosa ! It's Rosa !
H
114 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Rosa, Rosa, what do you bid ? They bid money,
nothing but money ; and you — you
Rosa.
[Wringing her hands.] Rafael !
Sachel.
She calls him Rafael ! A curse ! A damning
curse ! [The crowd murmurs.
Rafael.
Silence ! It is my blood we are drinking ! It is
my soul we are selling ! [To Aakon.] And you bid
more than all you have, and yet it will not do ; and
you, Rosa, angel — angel— for my heart — for my soul
—bid, bid !
Rosa.
For your heart — my heart ! For your fcouL — my
soul !
Rafael*
Ha, ha ! Going ! Going- !
The Rabbi.
Going the way of the profligate — to the damned f
[Exit into the synagogue, closing the doorsi
THE GHETTO 115
Rafael.
Gone to the highest bidder ! She has been my wife
for months ! [Sachel sinks into a chair ; hisses and
groans from the crowd.] Now let the Ghetto damn
me if it can !
One of the Crowd.
She's a Christian !
[The crowd surround Rafael, who holds them at
bay.]
end of the third act.
THE FOURTH ACT
Scene : The same as Act I. It is seven days later.
Aaron discovered at the door; he holds some letters
in his hand.
Aaron.
I Lad rather talk to you here.
Enter Sachel, pale, bowed and trembling ; the two
sit on a bench at the right.
Then it is true that you have not heard from Rafael
for a week? What happened that day, after the
officers had dispersed the crowd ?
Sachel.
[JFifA a sob, then restraining hie emotions.] He
brought her back here to get the few things that
belong to her. He said that as soon as he had done
with Hanakoff he would come and get her. Then
he went away. He said he would be back in the
THE GHETTO 117
morning ; and he has been gone a week ! My God, it
was I who made him so anxious to leave — it is the
judgment of the Almighty upon my sins !
Aaron.
[Calculatingly, as he looks at the letters in his hand.]
Oh, he's your son ; I fancy if he got in the vicinity of
harm, he saw it before it saw him ! And the girl,
why do you let her stay here ?
Sachel.
The Rabbi! The Rabbi came here and made me
promise to keep the girl until Rafael could find a
home for her. I thought it would be the next day ;
I promised. The Rabbi said he repented the strong
words he had uttered when he slammed the door of
the synagogue. ITm ! The Rabbi is not much better
than you, or at least, than me ! The only difference
is that the Rabbi is always repenting! If Rafael
would only come back, I'd let him keep the girl here
for ever — what do I care ! I want my son — the only
thing I live for !
Aaron.
But doesn't the girl know where he is ?
SACIIET.
No, no. Esther kept telling me that Rosa has had
n8 THE GHETTO
no word from Rafael. I would not believe it ; and
this morning I took hold of her ; I cursed her up and
down for not telling me where he was. She said if
she knew where he was she would walk to him, if it
was a thousand miles, rather than stay another night
under my roof. Then, for the third time this week,
she had a fit of hysterics — I never heard such sobs in
all my life! When she quieted down she went up
and put on the rags she first came here in ; and since
then she has refused to take food from us ; she won't
enter the house ; she is wandering about here some-
where now. I don't know ; though she be a Christian
and a pauper, I suppose I'll have to accept her for
my daughter-in-law, if he'll only come !
Aaron.
She, that broke up your home and took your son
away from the finest young woman in the Ghetto ?
She, that robbed him of his faith and brought him to
a pass where every one is saying that he has run away
rather than face the consequences of his acts ? H'm !
Sachel.
What am I going to do ? If he's dead, I will keep
her ! Isn't she the only one in the world whose sorrow
will approach mine ?
THE GHETTO 119
Aaron.
But if he is not dead ? If he comes back ? [Cir-
cumspectly makes as if to open one of tfie letters.]
Look here —
[Enter the Rabbi ; Aaron hastily puts away the
letters.
Oh, the Rabbi! [Whispers.] We must get rid of
him. I want to talk to you.
Rabbi.
Good evening! How is that girl? Is she still
crying her eyes out ? It's pitiful ! It is dangerous !
I must see her ! [Aaron nudges Sachel.
Sachel.
She's all right. I have not heard her stir since she
went to bed.
Rabbi.
Oh, she's gone to bed — good ! Sachel, Rafael had
my promise to protect that girl ; and I will protect
her. Last Saturday we were all overwrought ; we
were taken by surprise. But now that we all realise
it, it comes to this : Rafael has married a Christian
girl ; she knows what an affront this is to the religion
in which Rafael was reared, and to which inevitably
120 THE GHETTO
he must return his full devotion when he grows an
older and wiser man. Now there is but one remedy :
Rosa must become a Jewess. Not to-night or to-
morrow; but she must be influenced to open her
heart to the faith of her husband ; and she must be
urged to welcome a future day when she shall enter
the synagogue and come forth from there with all the
hatred, all the revulsion which she has seen in our
faces to-day, buried for ever ! Teach her to be
thankful that this is Holland, where a Christian
may become a Jewess.
Aaron.
Rabbi, your sentiments are worthy of your calling.
Sachel and I have been talking ; we both regret our
bitter words of that day. Sachel has become recon-
ciled — as much as any Jew could. And, to tell the
truth, we had gone so far as to dismiss the subject
and to devote ourselves to a very important matter of
business which had to go over from Friday.
The Rabbi.
I see — I see ! I am very glad, then ! We must
make Rosa understand the things that are glorious
in our religion ; the inspirations that have sustain
us through centuries of the bitterest persecution that
THE GHETTO 121
men have ever known. And she must believe that
we shall cling to them until that supreme day when
Jerusalem is peopled anew with the race which God
has chosen for His own. Is it not so?
Sachel.
Yes, yes ! And we'll walk a little way with you.
Then, Aaron, you can come back, and we can go on
with that business.
[They go up : The Rabbi stops at the bridge.
The Rabbi.
Very well ; but you will treat the young girl
tenderly, my friends ? Look here ; you and Esther
and Rafael bring her to my house some night when
there will be no one else there. We'll let her feel
the warmth of our hearts, as if she were already a
Jewess. We will show her what the inner life of the
Jews is ; the life that the Christians have no concep-
tion of. And so we will work upon her better nature ;
but — yes, yes, I see you are busy. You are not
worrying about Rafael, then ?
Aaron.
Oh, he'll be all right. I'm sure of it.
[They start off over the bridge.
122 THE GHETTO
The Rabbi.
I'm glad to see you here, Aaron. It does you
credit to forget your disappointments ! [Exeunt.
A bell tolls ten o'clock. Enter Rosa. Her pallor and
the tremor of lwr voice show the effects of intense
emotional strain.
Rosa.
The very hour that he went away, and seven days
are gone ! Seven days — and he stood here and took
me in his arms ! Oh ! — [turning] — you who cry after
me that Rafael has deserted his Christian mistress ;
it is because you never knew the love of anything but
money ! You look down — always down ! But the
same clear sky was over our heads when he kissed me
here, and we looked up to it and thanked God, who
made us dare to lead our life in open truth before the
world ! Let God punish us for loving each other, if
that be a crime ! Oh, does He punish us ? Where is
my Rafael, you star that watched over us then ! I
love him, I love him ; I cannot live without him —
sweet star, tell me where he is to-night ! Oh, it is
from pity that you will not tell ! And he lies cold
and dead ! Rafael, Rafael, I'm all alone — all alone !
[TFieep*.] No, no; it can't be that! Dear God, who
THE GHETTO 123
sees me here among these aliens, you could not be
so cruel to your own ! Not so cruel as that ! Not
so cruel as that ! [She sobs ; exit.
Enter Aaron and Sachel.
Aaron.
Where is Esther ?
Sachel.
Can't you hear her snoring ? I can, though she is
away at the back of the house ! I have not slept
seven hours in these seven days !
Aaron.
Do you think the girl has any suspicion that
Rafael may have found that he has under-taken the
impossible? If he did throw her off — I don't say
that he has — but if he did, it must strike her that
she wouldn't have a place to go in all the world !
Sachel.
She believes in him.
Aaron.
When he is with her, yes ! But when he is away,
and she waits and waits, are not all women alike?
Doesn't she know that he has sacrificed every guilder
that he might have had from you ?
124 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
I said that to them. Why did I not hold my cursed
tongue ! He hadn't a copper in his pocket ; the
poor boy had given away everything he had, to bury
Mordecai's son.
Aaron.
And does not she know that he gave up every friend
he had, too, when he forsook his religion ? These
things must have passed through her mind.
Sachel.
What do I care what is passing in her mind !
Aaron.
Of course, of course ! [Putts the letters from his
pocket.] But the main probability is that Rafael will
soon return. I am only thinking whether before he
returns this girl could not be influenced to leave here,
made to believe that the boy has deserted her ? You
can f t blame me for considering my daughter's feelings
in this matter. Now suppose we could let drop a few
things in Rosa's presence, without appearing to know
that she overheard ?
Sachel.
I don't care about her ! I want him to come back.
THE GHETTO 125
Aaron.
Don't you see : after a whole week, after all her
waiting and waiting, without a word from him and
with her whole life trembling in the balance, then if
she overhears certain things ! Of course if we
try to persuade her he is gone, shell suspect at once.
But there are certain remarks that we can let drop,
quite casually, you know, that will absolutely make
her believe that he does not intend to come k back ;
that he has deserted her.
Sachel.
But she won't believe it !
Aaron.
No, not if we try to convince her ! But we won't
try ! You only make certain statements within her
hearing ; and if she says they are not true, just shrug
your shoulders ! What is in that girl's mind ? Either
that he has met harm, or that he is afraid to come
back to her ; that the poverty staring him in the face
has been too much for him. Seven days is a long time
when a woman is alone on the rack of doubt. Now,
do you see what I mean ?
126 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
But I want my son! I don't care whether Le
marries your daughter ! I want my son !
Aaron.
[Tapping the letters.] Here are some letters. One for
you and four for Rosa.
Sachel.
Where did you get them ? Is mine from Baf ael ?
Yes ? Ah, ah ! Bead it, quick !
Aaron.
[Reads.] " Father : Rosa will tell you where I am.
I am your son ; do not be harsh to Rosa. The Rabbi '
told me that he knew you would keep her over night ;
as I left her for a night, relying upon his good offices
with you, so I feel I may leave her for a week. Good-
bye, father. Rafael*"
Sachel.
He's all right ! He's all right ! [Pauses^ suddenly.]
Look here, you miserable rascal, you've had this for a
week. You've bribed that postman ; it's a crime !
Aaron.
One for you and four for hen Will you listen td
THE GHETTO 127
one of those he wrote to her ? [Opens it.] Shall I
open it ?
Sachel.
You have, already.
Aaron.
Shall I read it ?
Sachel.
[After hesitation.] Yes.
Aaron.
[Reads.] " My darling : If I take ship at once with
Hanakoff for London, I have the opportunity of a life
time ; it will fix me in my career as I had never dreamed
of. My mind tells my heart that I must go ; but I
am as joyful as I am sorrowful ; for in a week, dear, I
take you away from the stifling air you breathe to-
night — out of the Ghetto, into the freedom which is
the right of our love. Good night, my angel ! Your
Rafael."
Sachel.
He'll have money now. He'll never look at me
again. She's got him ! She's got him ! 0, I would
to my Maker I were dead !
128 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
No, no I She hasn't got him ! She shan't have
him ! Don't you see, this clears the way for the very
thing I proposed to you.
Sachel.
What ? What ? It might succeed, with the girl
in the state she is. But if it does, what will Rafael
say, to-morrow ?
Aaron.
Eh ? Why, if he finds her gone and she left no
word, let him draw his own conclusions ; that she was
afraid to stand by him ; afraid to share his poverty.
You say " to-morrow " ? He may be back to-night !
It's your one chance. If it succeeds, the girl goes,
with two hundred guilders in her pocket; Rafael
stays home — in due time marries Rebecca — becomes a
successful Jew. If it fails — then this Christian robs
you of him anyway ! [S achel ponders ; then suddenly
touches him; they listen; Aaron whispers.'] Only
casually ; not an effort to convince her ! She can't
help believing it, then !
Sachel.
Sh— i
THE GHETTO 129
Enter Rosa, by the bridge ; she drops her hands, hope-
lessly, and stays near the bridge, turned away
from them,
Aaron.
\Without looking about, whispers.] Was that her
step ? [Sachel nods ; a pause ; Aaron begins in a
moderate tone.] Yes ; but a man who gives his word
to one girl and then deserts her, would desert another
girl. Shall I let my daughter risk that ? No !
Sachel.
But I tell you it is not a parallel case ! A mar-
riage solemnised in a synagogue is one thing ; but a
marriage such as this — which we all know is not a
marriage, either inside or outside the Ghetto — I tell
you it's totally different !
Aaron.
Didn't he commit himself morally? Very well!
Then he goes and finds that he has been tricked by a
venial under-magistrate, for the sake of thirty
guilders ; and he finds that it was no marriage at all !
The girl is reduced merely to the position of his
mistress
130 THE GHETTO
Sachel.
Well, doesn't that dispose of her ? Doesn't that rid
hiin of responsibility ?
Aaron.
Yes; but it is a high moral consideration that
occupies me. The boy found that he could rid him-
self of his burden ; the discovery came when he had
been looking about for a week, and finding nothing
but poverty, privation and despair on every side ; no
one would lend him money ; none of his former friends
would speak to him ; there was only the choice be-
tween an absolutely hopeless struggle and running
away. He ran ! And I say a young man who has
thus been tried and found wanting is no man to be
my daughter's husband !
Sachel.
O ! Because Rafael has had one mistress is he
not good enough to be your daughter's husband ?
Eosa.
What do you mean ! What do you mean, Sachel !
[The two men rise, affecting surprise.] It is a lie ! It
is a cruel lie !
Aaron.
Eh ? Doesn't the girl know about it ?
THE GHETTO 131
Eosa.
What do you mean by saying that he ran away
from me ? How do you know that he ran away from
me ? Where is he ! Tell me where he is ! Quick,
you shall !
Aaeon.
No one will know where he is until he has spent
the money he sent for. And that ought to keep him
a year, even in England.
Rosa.
England — you say he has gone to England ? You
tell me he has deserted me? After what he said
before the synagogue ? I say it's a lie — a preposterous
lie ! It isn't true that I am only his mistress — it's
a lie!
* Aaeon.
I'll tell you what is true ; after this escapade with
you he'll have to prove himself a man before he
marries my daughter.
Eosa.
He can't marry your daughter ! He's mine ! O,
God, what does this mean ? Can't you find him ?
Can't you let me see him ? He would have written
to me— I know he would ! Sachel, let me go to him.
Sachel, tell me where he is !
132 THE GHETTO
Aaron.
What could Sachel do, even if he could reach the
boy ? After seven days, at the very moment Sachel
has been persuaded to accept all this — to treat you as
his daughter— here slinks Rafael along the canal and
up through the warehouse and whispers that he has
given you up ! Then he wheedles his father out of
more money than I would give ten sons, and then
boards a ship for England ! [To Sachel.] Do you
think I'll see my daughter marry such a man ? If
he wants to return next year on the hope of marrying
Rebecca, you tell him to remain in England !
Rosa.
It's a lie ! He couldn't desert me. He's a man of
soul — of honour ! It isn't true. My God, it can't be
true!
Aaron.
You'd better find a place to sleep, and then compose
yourself to make the best of it. I have a friend in
the country who will receive you. With the money
that Rafael has persuaded his father to give you, begin
life over again. Come ! [Touches her.
Rosa.
No, I will not come! It is a lie. You try to
THE GHETTO 133
convince me because you know I will kill myself
— because you
Aaron.
Has any one tried to convince you ? Sachel is the
only one to gain by your going. Has he tried to
convince you ?
'Rosa,
I know — I know — O God ! Sachel, Sachel, as you
fear your God, swear to me that he has deserted me !
Swear to me that he wants to marry Rebecca !
Sachel.
I— I
Aaron. —
Shall / take an oath, on the Law of Moses, that is
fastened to the lintel there ?
Rosa.
I will not believe you on any oath ! I will only
believe Sachel — Sachel, who could not deceive me—
[turns to Sachel] — because you know that if you
make me go away and kill myself Rafael will hate
you, for ever and ever ! Sachel, Sachel, can't we get
him back ? I'll do anything — anything. I'll become
a Jewess if you'll get him back ! Sachel, Sachel !
[Cries hysterically.
* 4
134 ?HE GHETTO
Aaron.
The poor girl want's your oath. That's a simple
matter. [To Sachel.] There is no reason why I should
stay here to witness this. Good-night !
[Exit by the bridge.
Sachel*
Such as you to kill yourself — h'm ! Now take your
money and be off! I'm going to lock my door.
Eosa.
You haven't said the marriage was false! You
haven't said he went away! You haven't said he
wants to marry her—you dare not ! It can't be true !
It carit be true !
Sachel.
Dare not — dare not. What do you mean ? You
thankless hussy ! You wreck my home, you rob me
of my son, and then when he has gone and I offer you
money to leave me in peace you dare to say I lie !
Rosa.
No, I did not say you lied, because you have not
said that he is deserting me! You will not! You
dare not ! He loves me; he is coming back ! I will
stay until he comes !
THE dkETTO 135
Sachel.
He wants to be rid of you. He has gone to
England. He wants Aaron to
Rosa.
Sachel, Sachel, think what you are saying ! Tell me
he is dead — tell me anything but that he's left me !
0, could your son dishonour me? Think what you
are saying ! No, no — not unless you swear it in the
sight of God ! Sachel, Sachel — [as he puts hand on the
lintel] — don't swear to it — [on her knees}— don't swear
to it !
Sachel.
[With a burst of raje.] God! — Hear me then.
You have been nothing but Rafael's mistress ! Rafael
has deserted you ! Rafael wants to marry Rebecca !
Rafael has sailed from Amsterdam ! By the sacred
Law of Moses, by all that is holy in the sight of God,
I swear it ! I swear it ! Now go ! Take your money
and go ! [She goes towards the canal.
Rosa.
And so — and so — Dear God — dear God !
Sachel.
Where are you ? Here, take it — take it ! Where
are you going ?
136 THE GHETTO
• Rosa.
[At the canal.] Dear God — derir God — No more
— no more !
Sachel.
Come away !
Rosa.
Rafael ! [She jumps into the canal,
Sachel.
Stop ! O—O God ! It isn't true ! Rosa ! Rosa !
[At the wall.] A stick ! A stick ! I cannot find one !
Where are you? For God's sake, answer! Don't
you hear ? God ! O God ! [Turns to the house,
where music is being played.] Daniel! Samson!
Open the door ! [The music drowns his voice.] Help !
help ! [He rushes back.] Rosa ! Reach out your hand !
Where are you — where are you ? Answer me — [the
music ceases abruptly] — answer. [A silence. He slinks
away from the wall. A pause.] What will Rafael
do? What will God do ?
[He hears the footsteps of Rafael.
Enter Rafael, joyously.
Rafael.
Hello, father, father ! I'm home again ! Why
haven't I heard from you ? I — what's the matter ?
THE GHETTO 137
Sachel.
[Trembling.] I — I — don't mind me! I — I — I
thought you wouldn't come back. We didn't get
your letters until to-day. But you've come — you've
come ! Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me ! For
God's sake — I'm sick, I'm blind, I've only a little
while left ! Stay with me. Don't leave me alone —
you mustn't leave me alone !
Rafael.
You are not well. Have you been in the heat?
Father, why do you tremble so ?
Sachel.
I'm not trembling, my boy. I — I — my boy, my
boy, ask me anything and I will give it to you ! I
can't live without my son! If you speak a harsh
word to me I shall drop dead, Rafael.
Rafael.
Father, father, be calm; Heaven knows I don't
want to be harsh to you ; there's a clean page to begin
on if you like. We'll leave this place ; come and live
with Rosa and me. She has never spoken a harsh
word to you, has she ? Don't you see now that she
138 THE GHETTO
has the gentleness of an angel ? Wait till our people
know her !
Sachel.
Yes, yes, I know ; my God, I know — I — I —
[Rafael makes as if to go ini\ Rafael, for God's sake,
don't leave me !
Rafael.
Where is she, father? She was afraid to stay
here ; but I told her she was my wife, and that you
loved your son, and that ought to be enough to
reassure her. I had to go with Hanakoff. I have
made a success, do you hear? Don't worry, don't
tremble. I must find Rosa. Where is she ? Rosa !
I've something to tell you !
Sachel.
No, no ; don't speak so loud !
Rafael.
Yes, but she does not hear me ! Isn't she in the
house? Rosa! What have you said to her ? Where
is she ? She is not here. Where is she ?
Sachel.
Don't ask me, don't ask me !
THE GHETTO 139
Rafael.
Where is she ?
Sachel.
I couldn't stop her !
Rafael.
From what ? Where is she ?
Sachel.
Don't know, don't know ! She went away !
Rafael.
Where — why ?
Sachel,
You shall not blame me ! It was not my doing.
Aaron — Aaron — it was he who bribed the postman !
Before God it was not I !
Rafael,
Bribed the postman ? She did not hear from me ?
Where is my wife ?
Sachel.
No, no, Rafael, my boy ; my dearest boy — she's
gone, she took money, she deserted you !
140 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
You are lying !
[People collect, looking over the canal wall.
c
Sachel.
She said — she said she hated our race — she hated
you — she hated all of us ; she was going away, out of
the Ghetto, away, off there, there — [Re points away
from the canal. The excitement at the canal wall in*
creases* Rafael starts as if towards the wall.] Not
there, not there, Rafael, my boy, my boy !
Rafael.
What's the matter down there? [Two men bring
Rosa up the steps ; the ofowd obscures her from Rafael,]
Who is that ? My God ! Is it a woman ?
A Man.
Yes.
Rafael.
[Pushes through the crowd.] Rosa, Rosa — Rosa!
Oh ! oh ! oh !
Sachel.
Oh, my boy !— oh, my boy ! Rafael 1 Rafael ! I
couldn't stop her !
THE GHETTO 141
Rafael.
[Turning on his father .] Ugh ! Off from me — off!
Oh, oh, damnable, damnable monster! Take him
away!
An Old Man.
He's your father ! Shame ! shame !
[Hisses from crowd,
Rafael.
[To Sachel.] Keep your cursed talons off! Mur-
derer ! Murderer ! You made her drown herself !
A Second Man.
Leave him alone ! Shame ! This is the man who
blasphemes God !
A Third Man.
He profaned the synagogue — he curses his father !
[Rafael meanwhile looks upon the body of Rosa.
The Second Man.
Shall he do all this— *this — in our teeth ? [Hisses
from the crowd.] Hide your face ! Hide your face !
[Advances on Rafael.
142 THE GHETTO
Rafael.
Stand away from her ! [Throws him down, turns
to his father.] O God, if I had not concealed your
knavery from her, your holiest oath would not have
moved her ! And now must you live on, while she
lies thus ?
Sachel.
[To the crowd.] She poisoned my son; she took
away his religion — she killed my son's love for his
father ! She deserves it — she deserves it !
Rafael.
Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die ! Life, life, free*
dom — the blue sweet sky, we two together singing in
the sun — not the dead soul sighing through the trees
— not the whisper of night — the sorrowful shade that
passes in the mist ! No, no, you must feel my breath
upon your cheek, you must feel my arms, you must
live, live ! [Rosa stirs.] Live ! She breathes — she
breathes] Air — distance — distance, I say ! Rosa, it
is I, Rafael ! You are safe ! Not all the fiends in
God's grey world- shall thrust an arm between us.
Rosa! Rosa!
Rosa.
[Raising her head a little.] Rafael, forgive me
THE GHETTO 143
Sachel.
Rafael — Rafael — she means me. Forgive me — for
God's sake — [on his knees to Rafael, who turns his
back] — Rafael !
Second Man.
Shame ! shame ! He hates his father !
The Crowd.
Shame ! shame ! Punish him !
[The crowd closes in on Rafael.
Rosa.
[In fear,] Rafael!
Rafael,
Are you no better than a mob of Christians?
Stand back ! [Pushes the crowd back violently,']
Rosa, Rosa — away — out of the Ghetto — into the air !
Rosa !
[The crowd starts to close in again; he takes
Rosa in his arms and rushes across the
bridge. The crowd follows, walking rapidly.
Sachel is left solitary.
Sachel.
Rafael ! Raf [He falls.
i 4 4 THE GHETTO
Enter A Watchman.
Watchman.
Eleven o'clock, and all's — [Stops and looks at
Sachel, who stirs and sobs.] Eleven o'clock !
[Exit Watchman, thoughtfully.
Eleven o'clock !
THE END.
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London &> Edinburgh
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